Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for a hike in the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75.
Cuomo, in his State of the State address, according to a Reuters report, said raising the minimum wage was "long overdue" and should have been raised last year.
Kevin Law, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, has said in a letter to Cuomo that hiking the minumum wage is a bad idea.
"It would diminish our state’s competitiveness, increase layoffs, and raise the cost of doing business for large and small companies," he said in the letter.
We asked out Facebook fans to chime on whether or not they support raising the minimum wage (add your own thoughts on the topic in the comments section below).
Leenie Langis: Still doesn't pay the bills.
Allison Escoto: I don't know how anyone is expected to survive on that wage in this state, in particular on Long Island or anywhere in the metropolitan area.
Pam Skidmore: it barely shows; in fact my 2013 pay raise provided me a lower paycheck after the increase in SS taxes than in 2012
Holly Jensen OBrien: $8.75 ? Really? That's all? Should be much higher then that.
James Chiuchiolo: yes please do. it's hard enough in times like these when everything is going up and the minimum is still low. I am just saying but who ever else has a job and is at minimum wage and trying to by a car it is hard for us right now. so Cuomo has my vote to raise it to $8.75
Trish-ann Doherty: businesses are laying off employees and on hiring freezes, and we are worried about minimum wage?
If those consequences are worth it, then raise it. I would also suggest putting in automatic cost of living increases so that there is never again a sharp increase