Today, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) sent a letter to New York State Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon requesting recent proposals to increase wages for tipped workers be rejected. Earlier this year, the governor proposed new regulations for business schedules and to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. This proposal may increase the hourly wage for tipped employees but would likely result in fewer tips and an unsteady income for the thousands throughout the state who depend on tips for their good service.

“Since these proposals were announced by the governor, I’ve heard from countless constituents in my district voicing their concerns about an increase in their minimum wage,” said Morinello. “Raising the base wage for servers may appear to be a quick fix to benefit tipped workers, but it would only result in less tips and financial uncertainty. Tipped workers who have contacted my office say they make more through tips than they ever would if minimum wage were increased. Employees like earning tips because they offer an incentive to be rewarded for good service. I hope my letter to Commissioner Reardon will help her gain an understanding of the outcry by the public to terminate these proposals before they go into action.”