NY to raise minimum wage by Jan. 2007

MINIMUM WAGE -- BROAD SUPPORT IN NEW YORK STATE:

"Overriding the veto of Gov. George Pataki, Republicans in the New York State Senate "forced through a measure on Monday that will gradually raise the minimum wage in New York State by $2 to $7.15 an hour by January 2007 (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/nyregion/07wage.html?
pagewanted=1&ei=5094&en=fc95d423c530b99c&hp&ex
=1102482000&partner=homepage) ." Because the Democrat-led State Assembly voted on Aug. 11, 126 to 20, to override the governor's veto, "the measure will become law in January, when the pay raises will begin." The vote, which was "a stinging rebuke to the governor from members of his own party," validated the efforts of a broad coalition in favor of the bill, including Labor, the Working Families Party, state Democrats and the American Progress Action Fund. It will raise the salaries of more than 700,000 workers. Under the existing minimum wage, favored by Gov. Pataki, full-time workers can earn $10,712 a year, which is below the federal poverty line."