Relevant bills

* A5132 (Nolan) would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 after Jan. 1, 2002 and provide for annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. This bill passed in the Assembly and has been sent to the Senate Labor Committee for consideration in that house.

* A6179 (Nolan) establishes the Empire State Jobs program for a five-year period to provide temporary employment in public and nonprofit sectors; and skills, education and training to help participants achieve permanent employment in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

* A734-A/S1691-A (Brennan/Marchi), the Work to Wellness Act of 2001, would create the Medicaid buy-in program, allowing disabled individuals to accept jobs with wages above the poverty level and purchase health coverage through Medicaid on a sliding fee scale based on income. The bill has passed the Assembly and has been referred to the Senate Social Services Committee.

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(05-17-01)