Sayreville – Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement following the diner discussion on the impact of the graduated phase-in of an increase in the minimum wage with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Governor Phil Murphy at the Ocean Bay Diner in Sayreville:

“Meeting with employees and patrons of the Ocean Bay Diner helps to put a face on the real life impact of a graduated, multi-year increase in the minimum wage.  These are the men and women whose lives will be improved with an increase in pay that will climb to $15 per hour. This is about the lives and livelihoods of working people.

“This is a shared priority for Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin and me that will put more pay into the pockets of working people so they are better able to support themselves and their families.

“It is a responsible and progressive plan that will put New Jersey in the forefront of the national movement to build a high wage economy. It will provide gradual, steady increases over a number of years that would reach $15 by 2024 for the vast majority of minimum wage workers, with moderated increases for a number of job sectors. It recognizes the unique circumstances of the state’s agriculture industry and small businesses and it includes special provisions that support job training and jobs for the disabled.

“The plan is good for workers, businesses and the economy.  Lifting the livelihood of minimum wage workers is the right thing and the smart thing to do.”