ALBANY – The Democrat-dominated State Assembly voted on Tuesday to increase the minimum wage from the present $7.25 per hour to $9 per hour. Democrats mostly supported the measure while Republicans opposed it.

Freshman Democrat James Skoufis (D- Town of Woodbury) said it will benefit the hardworking low wage earner.

“You simply can’t afford to live anywhere in this state for $15,000 a year, which is what $7.25 an hour full-time works out to be,” Skoufis said.

Kevin Cahill (D- Kingston) said the last time New York “significantly raised” the minimum wage was in 2007, “which is not enough for full-time workers earning the lowest amount legally allowed to survive.”

Republicans Annie Rabbitt (R- Greenwood Lake), was among those voting against it, saying it would hurt small businesses.

Rabbitt said small businesses that depend on high school students and young adults cannot afford such a hike. “That means jobs will be lost and businesses will close.”