ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Cuomo announced Sunday that 2018 will see the beginning of various economic justice programs for the middle class, including minimum wage increases, paid family leave policy, and tax cuts for the middle class.
Increased Minimum Wage:
As of December 31, minimum wage in Upstate New York has increased to $10.40 per hour (not including Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau Counties, and New York City), and $11.75 for fast food workers outside of New York City. This marks the second increase toward a statewide $15 minimum wage. Cuomo estimates more than 2.3 million people will benefit from the wage increase. Additional information on wages, including a FAQ page, can be found here.
Tax Cuts:
According to Cuomo, New York's middle-class taxpayers can expect the lowest tax rates in more than 70 years. Those rates will go on to save them "nearly $6.6 billion in just the first four years," with taxpayers seeing an average cut of $250 from state taxes in 2018.
Paid Family Leave:
Beginning New Year's Day, a new family leave policy will take effect, allowing job-protected paid time off for new parents, caretakers, and family members of active military personnel serving abroad. Once phased in, up to 12 weeks of paid time off will be granted to eligible recipients. Details on the policy can be found here.
Cuomo's full address:
"New York has made major strides in the fight for economic equality, social justice, and workers' rights, and with the rollout of this historic minimum wage increase and the strongest paid family leave program in the country, we continue to protect the wallets of middle class New Yorkers," says Cuomo.
