NYS News

March 29, 2016

NYSARA Lobbies Senate Republicans for the $15 Minimum Wage

On the last session day to negotiate an on time budget without the Governor’s message of necessity, (March 28, 2016) NYSARA was successful in getting information on why the $15 minimum wage was a senior issue to many of the Republican Senators before they conferenced for the 7th (but not last) conference on this issue. We got ten minutes with the Finance chair, John DeFrancisco of Syracuse, who has been THE point person in opposition to raising the minimum wage.

We had conversations with, or put information into the hands of several lawmakers directly: Nozzolio, Bonacic, Farley, Marcellino, Akshar, Marchiano, Seward, Amedore and a couple of staffers for Republicans. Our data was in the room.

Though not our primary targets, we got information into the hands of Democratic supporters: Liz Kruger and Toby Stavisky of the Senate Democrats and Dianne Savino of the IDC.

We interacted with members of the local press as well as a representative from the Wall Street journal.

It was a good day for NYSARA and our blossoming political action team. Don’t ever underestimate the value of one on one conversations with your representatives. Party Conferences drive policy. NYSARA made a difference today.

Thanks especially to Barry who chose this fortuitous day for us to reperesent seniors in the fight for $15. Looks like we may made progress during this budget week. But if not, we are organized for the rest of the session.

A big thank you to Rich Vale, Karen Wojcik-Hess, Ed Hyryhor, Jennifer Shaad-Derby, Sandra Bliss, Barbara McCarthy, Caryl Kane, Floyd Cameron and Barry Kaufmann for forming an army that was very effective in making our position known.

John M. Costello
Executive Director
NYS Alliance for Retired Americans