Albany, N.Y. (AP) - Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Klein says the new bipartisan coalition in the Senate between Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference will increase New York's minimum wage.
Klein, the leader of the IDC, tells The Associated Press he expects the minimum wage increase will be approved with other progressive measures, including campaign finance reform and restrictions on the New York City police department's stop-and-frisk tactics.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has proposed increasing the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour from the current $7.25. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo also supports raising the minimum, but the Senate's Republicans previously blocked the bill, calling it a job killer.
The five-member IDC formed a majority coalition with Republicans Tuesday.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
