Gov. Cuomo speaking at a rally for the $15 minimum wage outside the Senate GOP offices. Photo: Jenna Flanagan, WMHT

Mar 16, 2016 — Lobbying for and against the minimum-wage increase intensified at the New York State Capitol, with just over two weeks to go until the budget deadline.

Union workers gathered at a rally outside the State Capitol where the main speaker was Governor Cuomo. “We’re going to get a $15 minimum wage passed!” Cuomo shouted.

The governor has been traveling the state to events packed by local Democratic leaders and union members, entering the rallies on a bus paid for by the healthcare workers union 1199.

Before the rally, individual workers came to the Capitol and stood by a display of FDR memorabilia. The late former governor and President was the first to enact a minimum wage. Etta James, of Schenectady who attended with her small child in tow, said she needs more money to live a good life. “I would be able to pay my bills without having to choose which ones to pay first,” said James. She said she would like to afford day care for her children so that she can work full time. “I’d be able to just live life with my kids and be happy,” James said.

Opponents of the minimum wage have also been busy trying to get their message out, using social media and a direct email campaign.

Zack Hutchins, with the Business Council said the increase will cost over half a million jobs, as smaller businesses have to cut back or simply don’t hire new workers. “Those are jobs for low income workers, the very same people that folks rallying today claim to be representing,” Hutchins said.

Greg Biryla, with the pro-business group Unshackle upstate, said 65,000 emails have been sent to legislators in the past couple of days. Biryla, who formerly worked for the legislature, said they get lawmakers’ attention. “You start to take notice when 10, 15 emails come through on the same topic,” Biryla said. “And these are employers in their districts.”

Hutchins, with the Business Council, admitted the anti-minimum wage forces, which also include farmers and some not-for-profit groups that provide services to home care or the disabled, are at a distinct disadvantage. “We are not able to mobilize people in that fashion,” said Hutchins, who said business owners work during the day and “don’t have the ability to come in mass numbers.”

Cuomo, at the rally portrayed the opponents as powerful. “They’re representing the corporations,” Cuomo said. “And the corporations don’t want to pay a higher wage. It’s that simple.” Cuomo argued that taxpayers subsidize businesses by providing welfare benefits and food stamps to low-wage workers.

Despite the governor’s focus on the rallies, it’s not certain whether the minimum wage increase will be a part of the state budget. Cuomo has said it does not have to be included. Although Assembly Democrats enthusiastically back the phased-in increase, Senate Republicans did not include the measure in their one-house budgets that are being debated this week.

The  Deputy Majority Leader, Senator John DeFrancisco, appeared to take a shot at the governor when he spoke against raising the minimum wage on the Senate floor. “Just because you say it, and you say it loudly, speaking loudly doesn’t mean it’s true,” DeFranciso said.

But Cuomo said he hopes a noisy rally right underneath the Senator’s windows will help change their minds.