ALBANY — Backers of Gov. Cuomo’s push to hike the minimum wage to $15 an hour are set to spend several million dollars on the effort, the Daily News has learned.
“The major unions have signaled they’re going to be aggressively behind this effort not only because of what it means for New York, but also what it means nationally,” said a key Democratic activist involved in the push.
“This is literally the thing that every progressive cares about achieving on their respective agendas,” he added. “There is unity on the progressive side from the non-profits to the unions to elected officials.”
The powerful SEIU Local 1199 healthcare union already has a TV ad up on air. SEIU, the Hotel Motel Trades Council, and the teacher unions are among those that will also be involved. So will the union-backed Working Families Party, the source said.
JOE BIDEN PRAISES ANDREW CUOMO FOR SEEKING $15 MINIMUM WAGE IN NEW YORK
The plan is not only for television and radio ads, but also expansive digital and social media organizing.
With the Assembly Democrats having already pushed for a $15-an-hour minimum wage this past legislative session, the Senate GOP continues to be the chief roadblock.
With the Senate Republicans heading into the crucial 2016 elections looking to keep control of its slim majority, the Democratic activist said there will be “aggressive ground organizing” in coming weeks to hammer the issue in competitive GOP districts “so when the conversation comes up in January when the Legislature returns, it will be even more favorable.”
A Quinnipiac University poll released last week showed that 62% of all New York voters support incrementally hiking the current $8.75 an hour minimum wage to $15 an hour. But Republicans oppose it by a 65% to 33% margin, the poll found.
But the Democratic activist said he believes the GOP’s major donors such as the Real Estate Board of New York and the charter school movement, will not stand in the way of the higher minimum wage, particularly since it’s the top priority of Cuomo, with whom they have close relationships.
“The real estate industry and charter people are not going to want to go to war with the governor on this,” he said.
Heather Briccetti, president of the state Business Council, last week said while her group remains opposed to the $15-an-hour minimum wage, it recognizes the political reality that it will likely happen. She said it’s important to make sure there are provisions like tax breaks to protect small business, something Cuomo told the group on Friday he supports.
One opponent of the governor’s plan also expects the Senate will ultimately be forced to cut a deal.
“Anything that polls 60%, you can’t stand firm on,” the insider said. “Their political future is in the balance on this.”
On Sunday, Cuomo said 96 notable clergy members from across the state are supporting the $15 minimum wage.
“By raising the minimum wage, we’re asking for fairness, equity and justice to ensure a decent living for all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said Sunday. “We are going to get this done and then say to the rest of the nation — look at the Empire State for what is fair, for what is just, and for what it takes to make the strongest community.”
