Cuomo: Farmers May Be Treated Differently Under $15 Wage

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he's working on a plan to ensure farmers aren't negatively affected by his proposed $15 minimum wage.

The Democratic governor told reporters in Niagara Falls Tuesday that agriculture is different from other industries that would be covered by his proposed wage increase.

Cuomo didn't offer specifics about what he called a "special modification" for farmers. Possibilities range from giving farmers a tax break to offset higher labor costs to exempting them from the $15 wage entirely.

The proposed increase from the current $9 wage would be phased in over several years. Farmers, small business owners and many Republican lawmakers say the sharp increase will damage the economy.

Cuomo's minimum wage plan is a key part of negotiations with lawmakers ahead of the April 1 budget deadline.