New York Farm Bureau Voices Opposition to Governor's Proposed Minimum Wage Hike
2/7/2016 9:49:53 AM
By Greg Larson
Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal to raise New York's minimum wage to $15 per hour has been praised by many. But the New York Farm Bureau says that kind of hike would plunge state farming businesses into the ground and cost an estimated $500 million in additional annual labor expenses. Public Affairs Manager Steve Ammerman says markets determine the price of agricultural products - not farmers, who wouldn't be able to adjust their prices if their expenses increased because of a raise in the minimum wage.
Steve Ammerman: not able to compete with other states
Ammerman says the Bureau is against a minimum-wage hike. He points out that New York's average agricultural wage is $12.39 an hour and says this already puts farmers in the state at a competitive disadvantage.
Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal to raise New York's minimum wage to $15 per hour has been praised by many. But the New York Farm Bureau says that kind of hike would plunge state farming businesses into the ground and cost an estimated $500 million in additional annual labor expenses. Public Affairs Manager Steve Ammerman says markets determine the price of agricultural products - not farmers, who wouldn't be able to adjust their prices if their expenses increased because of a raise in the minimum wage.
