By The Editors 5/23/12 11:28am

opinion

No Time for a Raise

New York’s economy may be on firmer ground than, say, Michigan’s, but that’s not saying much. Statewide, the unemployment rate of 8.5 percent is nearly a half-point higher than the national jobless rate. In New York City, the unemployment rate is about 9.5 percent.

So now is not the time for politicians to pass an election-year increase in the state’s minimum wage, currently set at $7.25 an hour. Hikes in the minimum wage invariably lead to fewer new entry-level jobs, and that’s something the city and state can ill afford. Read More

By The Editors 1/31/12 7:17pm

opinion

Bad Time for a Raise

Democrats in the State Assembly want to raise New York’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50. At 17 percent, it would be the biggest one-time increase in the minimum wage in state history.

It would also be the wrong move at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. Read More

By The Editors 1/17/12 7:08pm

opinion

Ms. Quinn’s Lousy Compromise

Perhaps it would have been better if Council Speaker Christine Quinn simply came out in favor of the so-called “living wage” bill without any changes or revisions. At least she would have been taking a stand. Not a very smart stand, but a stand all the same.

Instead, the speaker has cobbled together a bill that is being touted as a “compromise.” Read More