The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: Jobs and the Minimum Wage
Oct 28, 2025
Nick Garber, a politics reporter at Crain's New York Business, shares insights on the NYC mayoral candidates' stances on jobs and the minimum wage. He discusses Andrew Cuomo's $20 wage proposal and Zoran Mamdani's push for a $30 minimum, framing it as a living wage. The conversation dives into how candidates are addressing business concerns and the perceived flight of companies from the city. Garber also highlights the complexities of taxes and regulations affecting small businesses, along with the candidates' varying promises to ease red tape.
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Competing Minimum Wage Visions
- Andrew Cuomo proposes $20/hr by 2027 while Zoran Mamdani proposes $30/hr by 2030 as competing city wage floors.
- The candidates frame these increases as responses to living-cost realities and different policy approaches.
Moderate Raises Usually Don’t Kill Jobs
- Nick Garber notes limited minimum-wage increases generally improve workers' lives without large job losses.
- He acknowledges literature showing very large minimum hikes can force businesses to cut jobs or close.
Businesses Prioritize Taxes And Regulation
- Businesses most often lobby for tax and regulatory relief, especially property tax concerns for owners.
- Mayors can influence property tax levels but need Albany for systemic reform.