Poll: Most back higher minimum wage

Associated Press

Updated: Aug 22, 2012 7:16 PM

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A Siena College poll shows 80 percent of New York voters want the state's minimum wage raised from $7.25 an hour to $8.50.

The poll shows an uptick in support of three percentage points since June.

The Democrat-controlled Assembly has passed legislation to raise the wage, with sponsors saying the current level is too low to meet the rising cost of food, shelter and other necessities.

The measure faces opposition from the Senate's Republican majority, whose leaders say it would hurt businesses and the fragile economy.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he supports the measure but it wasn't likely to pass this year.

Legislators may return to session after the November election.

Siena says the poll of 671 likely registered voters has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.

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