“I strongly support Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assembly Member Keith Wright and the entire New York State Assembly in their proposal to raise the State’s minimum wage to $ 8.50 an hour. If passed, this bill will represent a positive step towards changing the life of working families in our City.

“Both the Assembly bill and the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act,’ our bill that would mandate employers pay a living wage when their projects receive heavy taxpayer subsidies, work together toward the common goal of improving the quality of life of New York City residents. A little extra money in the pocket of these struggling families will help keep them afloat by putting food on the table, keeping the heat on through the winter, and paying the rent. Our State Legislature has not voted to raise the minimum wage since 2004. As a result, New York's minimum wage is stagnant at just $7.25 an hour, around $15,000 a year for those who work full-time.

“In a high-cost state like ours, trying to support a family on such a low salary is nearly impossible. That is why I believe it is time to for New York to raise the minimum wage,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.