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Farmers, businesses unite against $15 minimum wage proposal days before lawmakers vote in Albany

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Small business owners and family farmers joined together today at a press conference in Batavia to ask state lawmakers to oppose the $15 minimum wage. The April 1st budget deadline is just days away, and the coalition remains united in its efforts to defeat what will be a tough blow to local employers.

The consequences of a 67-percent wage hike are far reaching. The small businesses shared their personal stories of what this will mean to each of them, including the decisions that will have to be made to compensate for the major increase in labor costs. A reduction in the number of employees and an increase in automation are on the table should this proposal pass in Albany.

The impacts will be felt statewide. A recent report conducted by the former director of the Congressional Budget Office, found that at least 200,000 jobs will be lost across the state. A separate independent analysis by Farm Credit East estimates a $15 minimum wage in New York State would cost farmers between $387 and $622 million in 2021 at the peak of the wage rollout and nearly 2,000 farms would no longer be profitable.  Businesses that can’t make money, don’t stay in business.

Because of the statewide ramifications, today’s event coincided with more than a dozen others happening in communities across New York. It is a final push to make the compelling point to lawmakers that there are serious consequences, from job loss to higher consumer prices, should New York pass a $15 minimum wage. The small business owners asked their local lawmakers to vote no on $15.

“Businesses will be forced to raise prices to compensate. As a farmer, I cannot do this. I am a price taker not a price maker. This will make me uncompetitive with surrounding states, like Michigan and Pennsylvania, whose labor costs will be half what they are in New York. This will put some farms out of business or force them to move to a different state which will hurt our economy,” said Pat McCormick, NYFB District 2 Director and dairy farmer from Java Center.

Ed Hartgrove

Yeo-o-o-o-w-w-w!!

Recognize that word? You should. It's been heard, many, many times, in New York State!

It's the sound of Albany, squeezing the lifeblood out of New Yorkers.

How about this one? Slu-u-u-u-r-r-r-p!

That's right. You're getting better at this "Guess what this is?" game. Yep, it's New York slipping further down the toilet.

Not even sure Heaven can help you anymore.

Mar 22, 2016, 10:35am Permalink
Thomas Schneider

Two state solution. Its time we became to masters of our own destiny. We'd be swapping Albany idiots for Buffalo idiots but at least Buffalo is closer when it comes time to break out the pitchforks.

Mar 22, 2016, 11:54am Permalink
david spaulding

from what I understand the 15 dollar wage is an increase of 67% from what it is now. hmmmm now if my wage was to increase the same 67%, I'd be more inclined to support it. I'd be more inclined to pay 67% more for goods and services, however until that happens, NO it is not a good idea no matter what the smoke and mirror emperor tells me. good grief the government controls every aspect of our daily lives. I fear it won't be long before I'm told what time to go to bed.

Mar 22, 2016, 12:22pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

You already are, David.

Or, did you actually think the globe rotated 1 hour faster each Spring, and, 1 hour slower each Autumn?

Mar 22, 2016, 12:30pm Permalink
david spaulding

hi ed, you may not know it, but I did just fall off the turnip truck. are you saying the minimum wage is based on the earth rotating on its axis? i thought the earth started and stopped all the time, where do you think the waves in the ocean come from.?

Mar 22, 2016, 3:45pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Hi, David.
No. What I was refering to was your statement, "I fear it won't be long before I'm told what time to go to bed."

The gov't already tries to control your "bedtime", by instituting Daylight Saving Time. That practice does nothing but screw up people's "internal clocks". And, the gov't is in "charge" of it. So much so that, some areas observe it, some don't.

The following shows how the gov't has their grimy hands even on how your time is controlled https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States…
It reads, "Moving an area on or off DST
Under the Uniform Time Act, moving an area on or off DST is accomplished through legal action at the state level. Some states require legislation while others require executive action such as a governor's executive order. Information on procedures required in a specific state may be obtained from that state's legislature or governor's office. Although it may exempt itself, if a state decides to observe DST, the dates of observance must comply with federal legislation."

Mar 22, 2016, 5:53pm Permalink
david spaulding

ed, we are straying off the OP but nobody seems to have anything to say about it anyways so i'll keep going. the Uniform Time Act is something I've never heard of before, however I am not surprised in the least. our legislators must stay up all night trying to think of such things. I have read on this board where a legislators success is based on how many bills they get passed. go figure

Mar 22, 2016, 8:49pm Permalink

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