ALBANY (AP) -- New York's Assembly has voted to increase the minimum wage to $9 an hour with automatic increases tied to inflation, putting pressure on Senate's Republicans who are seeking business tax cuts in a potential legislative deal.
The Assembly passed the bill 101-44 after four hours of debate Tuesday night. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Senate majority leaders are negotiating behind closed doors.
The minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. Among the proposals being floated by legislative leaders is raising the wage to $8.50, then $8.75, then $9 over two or three years.
Cuomo had proposed an $8.75 wage but said he's open to negotiation.
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