ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- New York state lawmakers overrode the governor's summer veto of a minimum wage hike in a Republican-driven confrontation with their own leader.
Gov. George Pataki had argued that raising the state's minimum wage by $2 to $7.15 an hour by January 2007 would put New York businesses at a competitive disadvantage, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
But Senate Republicans, struggling to keep their majority in the chamber and mindful of a fall election promise, joined Democrats Monday to override that veto.
"The increase will help the working families at the lowest income levels make ends meet, without putting an undue burden on small businesses and the economy," said Joseph L. Bruno, the Senate's majority leader.
The bill raises New York's $5.15 hourly minimum to $6 on Jan. 1, 2005; $6.75 on Jan. 1, 2006; and $7.15 on Jan. 1, 2007. It raises the hourly pay for the lowest wage earners, restaurant and bar employees who earn tips, to $4.60 from $3.30, an increase that will also be fully effective by Jan. 1, 2007.
The federal government's current hourly minimum is $5.15.
