The Siena College Study Insititute final week released its annual survey of upstate company leaders in New York. 

The findings showed CEOs surveyed hold a bleak view of New York’s economy amid increasing inflation, a tight labor market place, greater borrowing fees and a possible minimum wage improve in the state. 

“It’s not possible to sugarcoat the findings of this survey. CEO self-confidence is down considerably from a year ago as soon as once more reaching the low point we saw in 2020 and higher now only than in the course of the Excellent Recession of 2008,” stated Siena College Study Institute Director Don Levy. “Only about 1 in five CEOs now say circumstances have been and will continue to enhance whilst about half say the opposite – circumstances have and will continue to worsen.”

The survey identified a third of corporation leaders program to expand their workforce, down from 44% a year ago whilst at the similar time 82% think there is not sufficient effectively educated workers. 

And the survey identified by a 61% to five% margin CEOs think an improve in the upstate minimum wage from $14.20 to $15 would have a damaging impact on the economy. 

New York state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are weighing a possible minimum wage adjust in the state spending budget. Hochul desires to hyperlink the  minimum wage to the price of inflation lawmakers want to improve the base spend very first and then index it to the price of living. 

New York’s economy has struggled to regain the jobs lost in the instant wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor force participation remains at about 60%. 

For now, the Democratic-led Assembly and state Senate are not particularly backing a wage hike to $21.25 in the coming years. Major Democrats in the Legislature hope to attain a resolution in the coming weeks whilst also coalescing about a final target for the wage floor. 

“We also want to guarantee that our state has 1 uniform minimum wage and ought to not be topic to exceptions, and that the wage price for house care workers should stay at least $three above the minimum wage and rise with the rest of the state,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stated. “I appear forward to functioning with our partners in government to provide this spend raise to New York’s workers.”

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who on Friday amplified the Siena College survey, stated the final results are portion and parcel with the accelerated outmigration from the state. 

“General, this survey paints a bleak image the economy is receiving worse and there does not seem to be any finish in sight,” Barclay stated. “If you pair the survey final results with the state’s shocking outmigration figures— the state lost much more than 400,000 persons in the previous two years—it is clear a thing drastic demands to be accomplished.”

Not all company owners hold the view that a minimum wage hike would be detrimental to the state’s economy. 

Supporters of the wage improve pointed to the backing from modest company owners, such as Annie Adams, the owner of Second Chic in Buffalo, a consignment company. 

“When workers in our neighborhood make much more, they are going to devote much more at regional companies. It will inject revenues and vitality into our modest companies,” Adams stated. “I’ve observed firsthand how investing in staff generates company development. Each of our locations have remarkable followings mainly because the group knows the inventory and really like to aid buyers when they are buying. There is no way we would be in a position to develop as we have with no the dedication of our staff – and the terrific client service they deliver day just after day.”