Newsflash: New York is one of the most expensive states in the nation to live in. Our defecit is huge, the taxes are high, and schools are under-funded. There's no money for a wage hike. Pataki, for once, did the right thing.

Gov KOs $7.15 minimum

Veto called 'punch in gut' to working poor

BY HEIDI EVANS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Gov. Pataki dealt a stunning blow to New York's working poor yesterday, vetoing a bill that would have raised the state's minimum wage to $7.15 an hour by 2007.
After a six-year struggle by advocates, the pay hike finally seemed at hand when the Legislature overwhelmingly passed the $2 increase July 21. The governor had until next Tuesday to sign or veto the measure.

In a two-page veto message sent to reporters late yesterday afternoon, Pataki reiterated that he wanted Congress to increase the national minimum wage, which has been stuck at $5.15 since 1997.