1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

As a constituent residing in your district, I am writing to urge you to introduce and support legislation that abolishes the tipped sub-minimum wage and eliminates the "tip credit" system in our state. Under the current system, employers are permitted to shift the primary burden of payroll onto consumers through voluntary tips. While the law mandates that employers make up the difference if a worker fails to reach the standard minimum wage, this framework leaves service workers vulnerable to wage theft, unpredictable income fluctuations, and economic instability. Rent and basic necessities are fixed costs; a worker’s income should not depend on the day of the week, weather conditions, or the arbitrary whims of consumers. Seven states—including California, Washington, and Oregon—have already successfully eliminated the tip credit. In these states, hospitality workers are paid the full regular minimum wage directly by their employers, stabilizing the local workforce without destroying the restaurant industry. Transitioning to a "One Fair Wage" system ensures economic predictability for employees, simplifies payroll compliance for small businesses, and aligns our labor standards with a more equitable, sustainable model. It is time for our state to require that businesses bear the true and complete cost of their labor. I ask that you champion a fair, unified minimum wage for all workers, regardless of their industry. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your consideration of this vital economic matter. I look forward to tracking your work on this issue.