The Brian Lehrer Show A $30 Hourly Minimum for NYC?
Mar 13, 2026
Sandy Nurse, Brooklyn City Council member known for progressive labor advocacy, outlines a plan to raise New York City’s minimum wage to $30 by 2030 with tiered timing for small businesses. She discusses who would be affected, worries about inflation and small-business costs, strategies to support employers, and a push to boost funding for the Commission on Human Rights.
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Millions Surviving On Too-Low Wages In NYC
- New York City has over one million minimum wage workers surviving on roughly $2,000 a month after taxes.
- Sandy Nurse cites an MIT study saying about $38/hour is needed for basics and proposes $30/hour by 2030 to reduce displacement from the city.
Wage Hikes Blamed Less For Inflation Than Corporate Pricing
- Sandy Nurse argues price spikes during inflation are largely driven by corporate price gouging, not higher labor costs.
- She points to past minimum wage increases showing prices didn't cause job loss and emphasizes wages have lagged behind prices.
Evidence Shows Past Wage Raises Didn't Kill Jobs
- Studies of prior wage increases (to $15) found substantial pay growth without disemployment across sectors like leisure, hospitality, and retail.
- Nurse cites research comparing PA and NY where NY's sectors outpaced Pennsylvania after wage rises.