Albany, N.Y. (AP) - Advocates for the working poor and under-nourished are urging New York's government leaders to raise the minimum wage during a possible special session of the Legislature that could include a salary boost for lawmakers and top government administrators.
The groups used their annual Thanksgiving appeal for aid for hungry New Yorkers to push for the wage initiative during a rally in Albany Monday. They're also seeking better funding of food pantries for victims of Superstorm Sandy.
The groups say the minimum wage must be raised to at least $8.50 an hour, from the current $7.25 an hour with regular, automatic increases.
The Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo haven't yet scheduled a special session, but Cuomo and several lawmakers have said they expected one to be held after the elections.
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