A statement from Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue)
(Long Island, NY) “Rushed through to the floor and crafted with zero public input or transparency, this is one of the most damaging budgets I have seen since being in office. Including the $15 minimum wage in this year’s budget will be devastating to our businesses and local economies. This budget will only further perpetuate the mass exodus from our state as the rising burden of taxes and increasing operating costs force businesses to shut down and hardworking taxpayers to leave.
“This minimum wage increase is more than a 100 percent increase in the state minimum wage since 2013. New York’s economy certainly hasn’t grown that much in the same time, so how is that sound economic policy? The Town of Brookhaven estimates a $15 minimum wage would add a $2.2 to $2.4 million burden on taxpayers. This is only one example of a town that will be devastated by this policy, and I fear for how many other local municipalities across the state will be similarly affected. It is truly a disgrace that the governor and Assembly Democrats are prioritizing a political agenda over the actual needs of New Yorkers.
“While I certainly support helping the hardworking people of New York who are struggling to get by, I don’t think chasing businesses out of the state and forcing them to close down will help.”
