NY gives green light to raising minimum wage

(AP) New York is moving ahead with a law that will raise the minimum wage statewide on New Year's Eve. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget director says several studies show New York's gradual increase in the minimum wage hasn't directly caused a loss in jobs. New York's minimum wage was $7.25 in 2009, and the state later bumped it up to $9 in 2015. The state has been raising its minimum wage at different rates in different regions since 2016, with lower increases outside New York City. The minimum wage increased to $15 in New York City for all business with over 10 employees last year and will expand to all businesses starting Dec. 31. Meanwhile, the minimum wage will increase from $12 to $13 in Long Island and Westchester. The rest of the Empire State, mainly Upstate New York, will see a small bump to $11.80 from $11.10 at the end of the month.