New York Gov. Cuomo Signs $15 Minimum Wage Law

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4/4/2016
Updated:
4/4/2016

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law on April 4 which is set to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15.

The ceremony took place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan with several  labor leaders, advocates and minimum wage workers as attendants.

“This new economy is not a fair economy for the middle class and the working families of this country,” Cuomo said at the signing. “They feel that the American dream is slipping away.”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, center, signs a law that will gradually raise New York's minimum wage to $15, at the Javits Convention Center. (Photo by Richard Drew-Pool/Getty Images)
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, center, signs a law that will gradually raise New York's minimum wage to $15, at the Javits Convention Center. (Photo by Richard Drew-Pool/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joins New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joins New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

As for the rest of the state, the minimum wage will increase to $12.50—additional increases will be determined by the governor’s budget division and the Department of Labor, according to the Daily News.

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President Obama also shared his thoughts on New York’s wage increase—which happened the same day California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill raising his state’s minimum wage from $10 to $15 an hour by the year 2023:

“This action means more parents won’t have to choose between their job and caring for their new children. It means more workers can earn a higher wage to help make ends meet,” Obama said.