New York’s minimum wage is set to remain flat in January 2027 after a job-loss trigger was met, but Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to seek a change to the formula, according to the Times Union.
Under current law, the rate freezes when July’s seasonally adjusted job total is lower than both January’s and April’s; state figures fell from more than 10 million in January to 9.97 million in April and 9.96 million in July.
Hochul proposes freezing future increases only when a median of three-, six- and 12-month employment measures shows a decline of at least 0.25% leading up to July.
Her administration says the recent decline is concentrated in hospitality and private higher education rather than a broad recession, while consumers have faced rising prices.
Lawmakers could consider the proposal when the Legislature returns in January, either as a separate bill or during budget talks due to finish by the end of March.
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