The Buffalo News reports that Gov. Paterson is convening a number of Town Hall meetings throughout the state to discuss and take comments from the community about the state’s efforts to streamline applications for benefits, services, and tax credits for low-wage workers in New York.
While it is great that the process of applying for public benefits is getting easier for low-wage workers – who have historically under-utilized the benefits and services available to them – it should be noted that these income enhancements are not the answer to low wage employment. Some economists have noted that if the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since the 1970’s, it would currently be over $18/hour. Therefore, the effort to increase access to mainstream benefits is important but so too is the effort to increase living wage jobs throughout our community and to make work pay.
