New York governor raising minimum wage for state employees

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined a throng of union workers and other supporters of a $15 minimum wage in lower Manhattan on Tuesday and formally announced he would be using his executive authority to make sure it went up for at least one group of workers — state employees.

Cuomo's announcement came on a day of nationwide protests and rallies, as fast-food workers and other low-wage workers called for the $15 wage and for the right to unionize.

In lower Manhattan, those in the crowd carried signs saying, "Lift all boats, not just yachts," and also referenced other issues, like immigration reform and police shootings.

Lisa Johnson, 45, a Queens resident who works as a home care aide, said going from the $10 an hour she makes now to $15 would mean she wouldn't have to work the two jobs she has now and could spend more time with her children.