Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that laws he helped pass to improve Central New Yorkers’ lives will soon go into effect, including the paid family leave program and a minimum wage increase.
“Every day, Central New Yorkers go to their jobs to support their families, ensure a successful future for their children and contribute to our community,” said Stirpe. “By protecting their ability to balance family and work, we can give more people a better opportunity to achieve financial stability.”
All too often, workers must choose between making ends meet and caring for a loved one in need. To help change this, Assemblyman Stirpe supported legislation to create a robust paid family leave program, which takes effect Jan. 1 and will be phased in over the next four years. In 2018, employees can take up to eight weeks of job-protected paid leave at 50 percent of their average weekly wage up to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage to care for a new child or sick relative and for those with relatives on active military duty. By 2021, it will rise to 12 weeks at 67 percent of their average weekly wage up to 67 percent of the statewide average.
An increase to the state’s minimum wage will also go into effect. Beginning on Dec. 31, 2017, the minimum wage will increase to $10.40 in upstate New York. The minimum wage will continue to rise annually for the next several years. This will ensure that a hard day’s work is fairly compensated.