New York's state budget could lead to a minimum wage of $17 an hour in the coming years, sources familiar with the discussion said Monday evening.
The wage would grow from $15 an hour to $17 in the New York City area by 2026, growing 50 cents a year starting in 2024. North of Westchester County, the wage would increase from $14.20 to $17 an hour by 2028.
Future increases would be tied to inflation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul had backed the wage’s link to inflation as part of her initial budget plan.
Democratic Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner had called for a wage to reach $21.25 an hour statewide.
Lawmakers and Hochul are working this week to finalize a state budget that is expected to include the minimum wage provision.
New York last increased the minimum wage at the end of 2016, when it gradually phased in to $15 in the New York City metropolitan area. North of Westchester, the wage increases have been subject to a board within the state Department of Labor after 2021.