Gov. Cuomo said the Legislature is no rush this year to boost the state’s minimum wage — as thousands of low-wage workers in New York and across the country campaigned Wednesday for a $15 hourly pay rate.
Earlier this year, Cuomo proposed boosting the minimum to $11.50 in New York City and $10.50 in the rest of the state by the end of 2016. It is already scheduled to go up to $9 in January.
But the governor said the Legislature is unlikely to take up the hike before adjourning in June.
“It’s not urgent in terms of a timeliness. And with the Legislature if it’s not urgent, they tend not to [do it]. You know, ‘If we can do that tomorrow, let’s do it tomorrow,’ ” Cuomo told The Post editorial board Tuesday.
“It doesn’t take effect this year. It doesn’t take effect until next year. So, I think there’s going to be a strong feeling, ‘Why don’t we just do it next year.’ But that conversation isn’t closed.”
Cuomo included the minimum-wage increase in his executive budget plan and barnstormed the state last month to win support for his Fight for Fair Pay plan.
But it wasn’t included in the final budget adopted by the Legislature.
The governor expanded on his editorial board remarks Wednesday, insisting he wants lawmakers to pass a wage hike before the Legislature adjourns in June.
“My position is it’s a top priority to get it done. It’s always been a top priority for us,” Cuomo said.
He said the Republican-led state Senate, in particular, is resisting an increase.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) made clear that he has reservations about raising the minimum wage again, questioning the impact it would have on small businesses.
“The issue is where do they come up with these numbers? Somebody says $10.50. Then somebody says $13, then [Mayor Bill] de Blasio says $15. It’s like a bidding war. ‘How high can I go without a real thought process,’ ” Skelos said.
Advocates of the Fight for $15 campaign complained that Cuomo wasn’t being forceful enough in pushing for higher wages.
“This is a slap in the face to thousands of low-wage workers who are out in the street today saying they can’t make ends meet,” said state Working Families Party Director Bill Lipton.