Young workers threatened by New York’s $15 minimum wage hike

Following the lead of California, New York has passed a statewide minimum wage increase to $15 by 2018.

In both states, such large increases will be unprecedented.

The increase was signed into law as part of the 2016-17 New York state budget, and will take effect depending on the size and location of the business between 2018 and 2021.

“By moving to a $15 statewide minimum wage and enacting the strongest paid family leave policy in the nation, New York is showing the way forward on economic justice,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a press release.

That “economic justice” comes through gambling on the wages and employment of many low-paid workers across the state. Like most politicians, passing a law is treated as a success, rather than waiting to judge the effects of the law.