Statement of Howie Hawkins, former Green Party candidate for Governor,

re Cuomo Announcement of Minimum Wage Board for Fast Food Workers

"While I am glad that Cuomo has finally admitted that the Governor has the power to raise the minimum wage without legislative agreement, I am disturbed by the timing and content of today's announcement. All workers, not just fast food workers, are entitled to a living wage and that should be at least $15 an hour. The fast food workers have been demanding $15 in their demonstrations. Once again the Governor is providing an excuse for lawmakers not to enact a more robust wage hike. They still have more than a month to act before taking their five month vacation. Lawmakers should pass a $15 minimum wage for every worker in the state, including tip workers, with indexing and home rule for local governments that want to set a higher minimum wage in their jurisdictions."