Latest news with #Hirsh
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuomo fought efforts to raise the minimum wage before boosting it as governor
NEW YORK — Mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo rallied with several unions Thursday to announce his plan to push for a $20 minimum wage by 2027 — citing his success as governor in raising the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2016. But the former political director of one of the city's largest unions remembers it differently — it was Cuomo who remained the biggest obstacle to boosting the minimum wage in the state, until the push for a $15 minimum went national in 2015 and pressured him to act. 'He only got to $15 after massive national campaign pressure and a commitment from SEIU to basically run a multimillion-dollar ad campaign' said Alison Hirsh, who was the political director and vice president for building service workers union 32BJ SEIU at the time. Hirsh recalled staunch opposition from Cuomo and his administration before they finally got on board with the increase, adding: 'It had nothing to do with actually giving a shit about workers, he just wanted to be able to say, as he had contemplated a national profile, that he was the first in the country to do it, because the winds changed.' Hirsh is no neutral observer — she now manages the mayoral campaign for Democratic rival Brad Lander. But her accounts were substantiated by two others familiar with the talks around the minimum wage at the time. Cuomo's plan, first reported today by The New York Times, will need approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul. She has already passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation. She is up for reelection next year, and will have to weigh liberal pushes like this one against fiscal concerns that may be raised in response from business leaders. The state minimum wage now stands at $16.50 per hour in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, with the upstate minimum wage at $15.50 per hour. As governor in early 2014, Cuomo blocked then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to raise the minimum wage in New York City, opposing local control over an issue he felt should be dealt with statewide. With his latest proposal, he's attempting the same thing as the mayor he spent years feuding with. In initially rejecting de Blasio's 2014 proposal, Cuomo argued that allowing local governments to set their own wage and tax rules could create a 'chaotic situation' and that the issue should be left to the state. In early 2015, when de Blasio suggested a $13 minimum wage for the city, a Cuomo spokesperson called it a 'non-starter' with state lawmakers. Cuomo was pressured by the Working Families Party in 2014 to back a minimum wage hike as he faced a left-flank challenge from Zephyr Teachout, who was campaigning on the issue. The then-governor recorded a video for the WFP's state convention endorsing an increase along with linking it to inflation. But progressive skepticism that Cuomo truly wanted a hike continued, despite the WFP ultimately supporting his reelection. After sustained pressure from unions and other advocates, Cuomo finally came around. He announced his support for a $15 minimum wage later in 2015 and signed legislation to that effect the following year. He also faced substantial opposition from the Senate, which was then led by a coalition of Republicans and breakaway Democrats. Cuomo claimed Thursday his proposal to boost the minimum wage to $20 matches what the city's minimum wage would be today, if the $15 wage had been indexed to inflation in 2016. 'That is the fair way, and that's what we want, and that's what we're going to get passed,' Cuomo said at the rally. At the time, the Cuomo administration was decidedly against indexing the minimum wage to inflation. 'If he hadn't resisted the efforts at the time in 2016 to have the minimum wage indexed, it would be $20 an hour already,' said James Parrott, senior adviser and fellow at the New School's Center for New York City Affairs. 'In a way he's proposing a solution to a problem he created.' Hirsh remembered calls with Cuomo and his staff, including top Cuomo advisers Melissa DeRosa, Neal Kwatra and Bill Mulrow, where the team berated her as she pushed for Cuomo to raise the minimum wage. 'Andrew Cuomo would yell and scream, or he'd have Melissa or Neal scream, or Bill Mulrow would be very nice about it and block it, but he blocked every attempt at wage increases,' she said. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi pushed back, saying in a written statement that "not a single person she mentions has any recollection of what she's talking about, but I get it — she's desperate." "Andrew Cuomo masterminded and executed a successful campaign that led to the first statewide $15 minimum wage law in the nation," he added. "New Yorkers know he has the experience and the record to make this city more affordable and make a $20 minimum wage a reality." A version of this story first appeared in New York Playbook PM. Subscribe here.
Politico
28-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Cuomo fought efforts to raise the minimum wage before boosting it as governor
NEW YORK — Mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo rallied with several unions Thursday to announce his plan to push for a $20 minimum wage by 2027 — citing his success as governor in raising the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2016. But the former political director of one of the city's largest unions remembers it differently — it was Cuomo who remained the biggest obstacle to boosting the minimum wage in the state, until the push for a $15 minimum went national in 2015 and pressured him to act. 'He only got to $15 after massive national campaign pressure and a commitment from SEIU to basically run a multimillion-dollar ad campaign' said Alison Hirsh, who was the political director and vice president for building service workers union 32BJ SEIU at the time. Hirsh recalled staunch opposition from Cuomo and his administration before they finally got on board with the increase, adding: 'It had nothing to do with actually giving a shit about workers, he just wanted to be able to say, as he had contemplated a national profile, that he was the first in the country to do it, because the winds changed.' Hirsh is no neutral observer — she now manages the mayoral campaign for Democratic rival Brad Lander. But her accounts were substantiated by two others familiar with the talks around the minimum wage at the time. Cuomo's plan, first reported today by The New York Times, will need approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul. She has already passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation. She is up for reelection next year, and will have to weigh liberal pushes like this one against fiscal concerns that may be raised in response from business leaders. The state minimum wage now stands at $16.50 per hour in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, with the upstate minimum wage at $15.50 per hour. As governor in early 2014, Cuomo blocked then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to raise the minimum wage in New York City, opposing local control over an issue he felt should be dealt with statewide. With his latest proposal, he's attempting the same thing as the mayor he spent years feuding with. In initially rejecting de Blasio's 2014 proposal, Cuomo argued that allowing local governments to set their own wage and tax rules could create a 'chaotic situation' and that the issue should be left to the state. In early 2015, when de Blasio suggested a $13 minimum wage for the city, a Cuomo spokesperson called it a 'non-starter' with state lawmakers. Cuomo was pressured by the Working Families Party in 2014 to back a minimum wage hike as he faced a left-flank challenge from Zephyr Teachout, who was campaigning on the issue. The then-governor recorded a video for the WFP's state convention endorsing an increase along with linking it to inflation. But lefty skepticism that Cuomo truly wanted a hike continued, despite the WFP ultimately supporting his reelection. After sustained pressure from unions and other advocates, Cuomo finally came around. He announced his support for a $15 minimum wage later in 2015 and signed legislation to that effect the following year. He also faced substantial opposition from the Senate, which was then led by a coalition of Republicans and breakaway Democrats. Cuomo claimed Thursday his proposal to boost the minimum wage to $20 matches what the city's minimum wage would be today, if the $15 wage had been indexed to inflation in 2016. 'That is the fair way, and that's what we want, and that's what we're going to get passed,' Cuomo said at the rally. At the time, the Cuomo administration was decidedly against indexing the minimum wage to inflation. 'If he hadn't resisted the efforts at the time in 2016 to have the minimum wage indexed, it would be $20 an hour already,' said James Parrott, senior adviser and fellow at the New School's Center for New York City Affairs. 'In a way he's proposing a solution to a problem he created.' Hirsh remembered calls with Cuomo and his staff, including top Cuomo advisers Melissa DeRosa, Neal Kwatra and Bill Mulrow, where the team berated her as she pushed for Cuomo to raise the minimum wage. 'Andrew Cuomo would yell and scream, or he'd have Melissa or Neal scream, or Bill Mulrow would be very nice about it and block it, but he blocked every attempt at wage increases,' she said. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi pushed back, saying in a written statement that 'not a single person she mentions has any recollection of what she's talking about, but I get it — she's desperate.' 'Andrew Cuomo masterminded and executed a successful campaign that led to the first statewide $15 minimum wage law in the nation,' he added. 'New Yorkers know he has the experience and the record to make this city more affordable and make a $20 minimum wage a reality.' A version of this story first appeared in New York Playbook PM. Subscribe here.
Chicago Tribune
17-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Lake Bluff District 65 school board candidates discuss district's future at forum
With the April 1 municipal election approaching, most of the Lake Bluff School District 65 board candidates answered some questions at a recent forum regarding the district's future. The March 9 session was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff. Five candidates are vying for the four, four-year terms that expire this year on the seven-member board. Incumbents Lauren Hirsh, Tim Penich, and Carrie Steinbach appeared on the panel with Andrew Carlson, who is seeking to join the school board. The fifth candidate, Kimberly Bourne Saccaro, was absent as she was called away unexpectedly, according to League President Carol Russ. The session took a little over an hour with the candidates taking questions from the audience on subjects pertaining to the two-school district. With the Lake Bluff Elementary School receiving an exemplary designation in last year's Illinois Report Card and Lake Bluff Middle School getting a commendable grade, candidates took on the subject of ensuring the highest quality learning environment inside District 65. 'We have high expectations for quality education in this community,' Penich said. 'While we do have high-performing schools, I feel there is still growth to be done.' He added it was important to support the work of the administration and the teachers, but the school board needs to monitor the progress. Steinbach stated the board has a financial responsibility the schools are in the 'top tier.' 'I believe we need equity, but we also need proficiency,' she said. 'It's our job to make changes if we see our children are failing or falling between the cracks.' Regarding taxes, all four candidates did not believe a property tax hike was necessary at this time. (District 65 represents roughly 40 % of the overall Lake Bluff property tax bill, according to Director of Finance and Operations Jay Kahn.) While federal funds only represent about 1.5 % of the overall school district revenues, the candidates cautioned the district may have to look to grants or other sources of income if the federal money is removed given the uncertain future of the U.S. Department of Education. The candidates were also asked about the keys to teacher recruitment and retention. Carlson said a key to teacher retention is fostering an environment of respect. 'Letting teachers know they do have a certain degree of autonomy in their classrooms,' he said. 'Allowing teachers to use that creativity that they have learned throughout their years of education themselves to really promote individuality.' Hirsh said the teacher's voice is very important. 'We want teachers who want to be in our classrooms,' she said. 'If you have a teacher who loves what they are doing it is obvious and the kids recognize it.' The candidates all spoke about the possible use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the schools. 'AI is amazing but there is a lot to learn about it,' Hirsh said. 'I am sure teachers will use it but we need to make sure it is something that we are fully aware of the range of it before we put it in front of the kids.' Penich said the administration would have to take the first look and the board would rely on their recommendations. 'I think it would be important to learn and listen to the administration to see if they feel a policy regarding AI usage would be useful either now or in the future that could guide what is in our classrooms and what teachers are able to do,' he said. Steinbach said she uses AI at home with her children. She added some teachers have found it to be useful in their daily planning. Yet she offered some caution. 'I, 100 % think that needs to be monitored,' Steinbach noted. 'It can be viewed as extremely helpful but it can be viewed as a very divisive thing in the classroom.' Carlson offered a similar sentiment. 'Like any technology, AI should be used to supplement our education, not replace it,' he said. 'It is not going to replace those in-person student/teacher relationships that I think is the foundation for the educational experience.' Incumbent Richard Driver, who was appointed to the school board last year to fill a vacancy on the board, is running unopposed to fill out the remaining two years of that term. He did not appear on the panel. Hirsh, Penich, Steinbach, and Driver are running with the endorsement of Vote Lake Bluff, the village's version of a caucus. Bourne Saccaro and Carlson started their candidacy after the Vote Lake Bluff Town Meeting late last year and thus would not be eligible for the organization's endorsement, according to the president Paul Blahunka.
