Statement by New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address

ALBANY, NY (01/09/2013)(readMedia)-- Governor Cuomo's commitment to boosting the state's stagnant unemployment benefit is welcome news to working men and women throughout the state. We commend him for recognizing this long term inequity and for his passionate call to address it this session. The Labor Movement has been fighting for an increase in benefits and a long-term solution for far too long – thirteen years, and look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to finally give unemployed workers the help they need to support their families, stay in their homes, and most importantly find new employment.

We are also pleased that the Governor continues to make raising the minimum wage a priority in his ambitious agenda. I know that working together with the Governor and the Legislature we can get it done.

Along with creating good jobs throughout the state and generating much needed revenue, these are real investments in growing and strengthening the middle class, and in turn the state's economy. I have great optimism that this legislative session will mean real positive change for working families.