SAMPLE LETTER
IN SUPPORT OF AN INCREASE IN THE NYS MINIMUM WAGE

The Honorable Joseph L. Bruno
Senate Majority Leader
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Senator Bruno:

Senate bill # 4749 will increase the minimum wage for thousands of hard working individuals who suffer at the bottom of the New York's economic ladder. The bill was recently moved out of the Senate Labor Committee. At this time, I ask that you lead this bill from Rules Committee to a vote in the full Senate.

Taking action this legislative session is, I believe, both the principled and the pragmatic thing to do.

We know that the 1997 raise didn't cause the sky to fall on the state's economy. In fact, a survey showed that 90% of small business owners said the hike had NO effect on their employment or hiring decisions.

We learned from the last raise that it was adults, not teenagers, who benefited most. Forty percent of minimum wage workers are the sole breadwinners in their families.

And we learned that the minimum wage increase created positive ripple effects in the low-income communities that needed it most. Raises for workers earning the minimum are spent primarily within local neighborhoods.

Over the past few years, ten states have raised their hourly minimum wage, including neighbors Massachusetts ($6.75), Connecticut ($6.75) and Vermont ($6.25). None felt this would hurt their competitive business edge. Legislators speaking for the bills said "it's the right thing to do."

Because S # 4749 provides both a very needed raise and some ongoing remediation against inflation, I hope and pray that this bill will become law this year due to your leadership.

Sincerely,