What Our Readers Think: Minimum Wage

This week, Patch asked readers what they think about a new bill, co-sponsored by New York State Assemblyman ., I-Sag Harbor, that would the third-highest rate in the U.S.

Readers had a lot to say on the subject and most were in support of the legislation.

wrote, "ABSOLUTELY!!! It should be much higher than $8.50 per hour, in fact. That is hardly a living wage. Everyone wants people off of welfare and social services, then make it possible for them to earn a wage that will support them!"

added, "Yes! A paying job is a paying job, and for that we should definitely be thankful. But the reality is that the cost of living in the Hamptons is much higher than other places. Minimum wage as it is now is, at best, barely getting most people by. These are hard economic times, and I'm sure the businesses really don't want to be paying their employees more than they have to, but a small increase would help a lot of people."

said, "Yes raise it. Also why are food service people be paid below minimum wage? Their employer should pay them the minimum wage and tips would help them to afford a better life."

offered: "When I first heard about the idea through a comment by Sheldon Silver as a business proponent I was not sure. But then I read his reasoning which was no one who works full time should be poor. I have no problem with people making a lot of money but it just does not seem fair after putting in 40 hours a person can still be below the poverty level."

wrote, "Absolutely. As a man who shops regularly at the supermarket, I can attest that the cost of living for food has increased 25 percent in the last 2 years. Politicians do not shop for food, their maids do it....and we pay for it....."

If you have something to add to this conversation, leave your comments below.