ALBANY (AP) -- Advocates for the poor are getting help from some business operators in their quest to raise the minimum wage.
Costco and small business operators statewide called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Senate's Republican majority to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour.
The bill is sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
But the Senate's Republican majority calls it a job killer.
A Costco executive said Thursday that the retailer pays a starting wage of $11 an hour and good wages are good business.
The business leaders say paying a better wage helps retain employees.
The Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and the Working Families Party say a higher minimum wage will boost sales.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
