(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Surrounded by Members of Laborers Local 210 at the Building Trades Union’s Buffalo Training Facility, Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday (May 19th) highlighted New York State’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget investments that will work to support Workers in Western New York and make the State more affordable.

The State Budget includes investments to address the affordability crisis by: Raising the Upstate Minimum Wage to $15-per-hour in 2024, followed by $0.50 annual increases in 2025 and 2026 and tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index; Expanding the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to support thousands more renters, including Public Housing Residents and Section 8 Voucher Recipients; Enhancing the Empire State Child Credit to cover children under the age of four; and Supporting New York's Green Economy Workers.

"Labor is in my DNA - that's why I prioritized historic investments in my Budget to support Workers here in Western New York and across the State, while addressing the rising costs of living," said Governor Hochul (Pictured Above/Governor’s Office Photo), who was joined by area leaders of Organized Labor and local Elected Officials at the announcement. 

"These investments will ensure that New York Families can access the jobs, child care and resources they need to thrive, and we will never waver in our efforts to build a more livable and more affordable New York," the Governor said.

Laborers Local 210 President Sam Capitano (Pictured Below/Governor’s Office Photo) said: “Make no mistake: the increase in Minimum Wage is a good deal for New York's Workers, bettering their standard of living and creating upward mobility.  We thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing hard-working New Yorkers and their families.  There has never been a greater advocate for Labor and the Working Men and women of this State than Governor Hochul and I look forward to collaborating with her and other key stakeholders to support these initiatives."

The cost of living for working families in New York State has risen significantly in this year alone.  A recent Ford Foundation report found that 50% of all working-age New Yorkers are struggling to afford their basic needs.

Latino/a, Black and Immigrant New Yorkers, as well as households with children, are also disproportionately impacted by the increased cost of living.

In response, Governor Hochul fought to implement transformative measures in the State’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to deliver economic security to New Yorkers.

The transformative initiatives and investments included in the Budget to support Workers and make New York more affordable include:

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