Though several business groups in New York have opposed raising the minimum wage citing the negative effect on small employers, the Partnership for New York City has come out in support of the increase. In a letter to Republican Senator Joseph Bruno, the group of business leaders urges the State Senate to pass a bill raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.10 an hour noting that at the current minimum wage, full time workers earn well below the federal poverty level. Governor Pataki has stated that he prefers to see federal action on a minimum wage but will consider whatever the Legislature recommends.
See "Business Group Backs Raise in New York Minimum Wage", Michael Cooper, The New York Times, July 14, 2004