Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales visits Massena

“It’s important so that people here in the North Country who work full time should live above poverty. Given the current minimum wage, you can work 40 hours a week and if it’s a family of two, you’re below the poverty line… That is embarrassing in this country — that you can work full time and you need food stamps to survive. That shouldn’t be. I think it affects people’s dignity, I think how they feel is affected and so I feel very strongly about this” said by Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales.

Perales visited Massena yesterday to promote the state’s effort to increase the minimum wage to $10.50 an hour (and $11.50 in NYC) by the end of the 2016. During his visit, Perales met with nine local business owners in the North County.

Even among the nine business owners, they all didn’t support the increase to the minimum wage. So if nine people can't decide if this is a good idea, it will be interesting to see how the people of NY state sees the increase. Due to the fact that there could be some groups that might be hurt by the increase, like farmers and small business owners (link to video on farmers and the minimum wage increase http://www.mytwintiers.com/story/d/story/impact-of-minimum-wage-increase-on-ny-farms/30517/AOyXR3HKREKA5jiRsWB2xg ). 

To get more involved and or informed about the minimum wage increase can visit http://www.raisetheminimumwage.com . This is a national website but as the opinion for you to “take action” and this can just be a starting point.

Source:

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/new-york-secretary-of-state-visits-massena-to-promote-minimum-wage-increase-20150320