Lopez Says Further Discussions Are Needed Before Raising Minimum Wage

Legislators in Albany continue to meet to negotiate a 2013-2014 state budget.

One of this year's top issues is whether New York should raise its minimum wage to $9 an hour. Here is assemblyman from the 102nd District Republican Pete Lopez.

"What is lacking in the dialog right now is the weighing in of those who are providing the jobs to see how we can intelligently support them and help them provide capable jobs, capable workers with fair pay in the midst of a recession because we not in a vacuum," he said. "It's really incumbent on this House to provide the leadership and invite that dialog."

Lopez says unfortunately he will voting no on this bill and is encouraging further dialog on this proposal.