Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing an increase in the minimum wage to $10.50 by the end of next year.
Minimum wage is currently $8.75 an hour and slated to increase to $9.00 this year.
Cuomo argues a reasonable minimum wage is necessary to improve the standard of living for workers, encourage fair and more efficient business practices, and ensure that the most vulnerable members of the workforce can contribute to the economy.
The proposal is part of Cuomo's Ten Point Plan to Combat Poverty and Fight Inequality.