The Siena College Study Insititute final week released its annual survey of upstate tiny company leaders in New York.
The findings showed CEOs surveyed hold a bleak view of New York’s economy amid growing inflation, a tight labor market place spot, bigger borrowing charges and a feasible minimum wage boost in the state.
“It’s not feasible to sugarcoat the findings of this survey. CEO self-assurance is down substantially from a year ago when when once more reaching the low point we saw in 2020 and greater now only than in the course of the Superior Recession of 2008,” stated Siena College Study Institute Director Don Levy. “Only about 1 in 5 CEOs now say conditions have been and will continue to strengthen though about half say the opposite – conditions have and will continue to worsen.”
The survey found a third of corporation leaders plan to expand their workforce, down from 44% a year ago though at the extremely similar time 82% feel there is not enough adequately educated workers.
And the survey found by a 61% to 5% margin CEOs feel an boost in the upstate minimum wage from $14.20 to $15 would have a damaging effect on the economy.
New York state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are weighing a feasible minimum wage adjust in the state cost variety. Hochul desires to hyperlink the minimum wage to the cost of inflation lawmakers want to boost the base invest extremely 1st and then index it to the cost of living.
New York’s economy has struggled to regain the jobs lost in the immediate wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor force participation remains at about 60%.
For now, the Democratic-led Assembly and state Senate are not specially backing a wage hike to $21.25 in the coming years. Major rated Democrats in the Legislature hope to attain a resolution in the coming weeks though also coalescing about a final target for the wage floor.
“We also have to have to make positive that our state has a single uniform minimum wage and require to not be subject to exceptions, and that the wage cost for dwelling care workers will have to remain at least $3 above the minimum wage and rise with the rest of the state,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stated. “I seem forward to functioning with our partners in government to deliver this invest raise to New York’s workers.”
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who on Friday amplified the Siena College survey, stated the advantages are element and parcel with the accelerated outmigration from the state.
“All round, this survey paints a bleak image the economy is getting worse and there does not look to be any finish in sight,” Barclay stated. “If you pair the survey advantages with the state’s shocking outmigration figures— the state lost added than 400,000 people in the earlier two years—it is clear a factor drastic specifications to be achieved.”
Not all tiny company owners hold the view that a minimum wage hike would be detrimental to the state’s economy.
Supporters of the wage boost pointed to the backing from modest tiny company owners, like Annie Adams, the owner of Second Chic in Buffalo, a consignment tiny company.
“When workers in our neighborhood make added, they are going to devote added at nearby firms. It will inject revenues and vitality into our modest firms,” Adams stated. “I’ve noticed firsthand how investing in workers generates tiny company improvement. Each and every of our locations have astounding followings due to the fact the group knows the inventory and adore to allow purchasers when they are buying. There is no way we would be capable to create as we have without having the require of the dedication of our workers – and the excellent purchaser service they give day quickly right after day.”