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 but many were in favor of the ideas, some even saying it didn’t so far enough.

“I think it's fantastic,” said Denise Raio.

Lorraine Ellis agreed.

It should be more because cost of living is so much…” she said.

Nigel Cheddie was more pessimistic.

“Raising minimum wage will only cause the greediness to come forth again from the private sector screaming about how they'll have to cut jobs…” he said.

“Who can live on $8.75 an hour?” Melissa Ruiz asked. “Seriously!”

Others thought that the minimum wage was not supposed to be a living wage but a stepping-stone. The debate heated up with some back and forth over what a minimum wage increase might mean

For Alice Pearl, there was no question.

“It's about time,” she said.

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.