BILL NUMBER: S6240
SPONSOR: RAMOS
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to establishing local wage
enforcement authority in the city of New York and authorizing the city
of New York to establish a minimum wage that is higher than the state-
wide minimum wage
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a local wage enforcement authority to enforce the minimum
wage in the city.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Establishes the city's comptroller as a local wage enforce-
ment authority to enforce and investigate the state minimum wage. The
city is also authorized to raise the minimum wage above the statewide
minimum wage.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
JUSTIFICATION:
Beginning in 2012, the nationwide Fight for Fifteen movement publicized
the inadequacy of the minimum wage and, in part, led state lawmakers to
gradually increase the minimum wage in New York. New York City reached a
$15 minimum wage in 2019.
Historically, yearly gains in inflation have decreased the value of the
minimum wage, chipping away at workers' purchasing power and leading to
hardship for many. Despite this, increases in the minimum wage have not
occurred every year in New York City. As inflation increases and wages
at the bottom do not, workers in the lowest-paying, yet essential, posi-
tions struggle to pay bills, feed their families, and access transporta-
tion.
Due to the disproportionately high cost of living in New York City, by
allowing local control, the minimum wage can adjust beyond what the
state has set.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:.
New Bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.