Reader’s React: What Do You Think About Increasing the Minimum Wage?

One of the points Gov. Andrew Cuomo made when he delivered his annual State of the State address earlier this month was increasing the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75.

When we asked readers on Facebook what they thought, the reaction was mixed and a debate over the proposal heated up.

“About time,” said Sharon Newton.

Maria Koprowski agreed.

Eddie Haeffer said the minimum wage should be even higher.

“It should be no less then $12 an hour,” said Haeffer

When Brian Clark pointed out that at $12 a person is still not making a livable wage, Haeffer did the math.

“$23,400 before taxes, your right,” Haeffer said. “If you think about it your not even getting by with a family of four on $24 an hour.”

Diane DeNicola Napolitano also said it wasn’t enough of an increase.

“I think its great, but I think it should be higher. No one can survive on that!” she wrote.

April Hansen however was not a fan of Cuomo’s.

“It's time for a Republican governor to turn things around,” Hansen said. “Business and families are fleeing NY for more tax friendly states. More spending, higher taxes never work out.”

Haeffer quickly countered Hansen’s remark.

“You know what else doesn’t work out, deregulation and lower taxes, so what do we do?” he asked.

Hansen responded by asking Haeffer to look at the states with controlled spending and balanced budgets.

 “I believe we have 30+ states with Republican governors,” she wrote. “So far no one on this site understands the free market. You will be paid what you are worth to the marketplace. Cut, cap & balance!”

Stephen Penny called raising the minimum wage a “job killer.”

“A minimum wage just reduces the number of entry level jobs,” he said. “It keeps teenage unemployment high.”

Other like Keith Rosebrock  agreed with Penny asking if minimum wage was meant to be a living wage.

“I always thought it was a start for those new to the work force,” he said. “Maybe we should make it $40 a hour so everyone can ‘live.’ So sad this is even a debate?”

Continue the conversation here. We want to know what you think.

What do you think of Gov. Cuomo’s proposal to raise minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75? Let us know by commenting below.