SAYREVILLE — A diner owner nearly spoiled a visit to an eatery by Gov. Phil Murphy and the state’s legislative leaders to tout their $15 minimum wage deal when he initially said he opposed it.
Teddy Lutas owns the Ocean Bay Diner and hosted the Democratic leaders Tuesday as they prepare to vote this week on a measure to phase in a $15 hourly minimum wage over five years.
Lutas initially said he might have to close under the burden of paying workers a higher wage.
But after his comments circulated on social media, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin sent a statement from Lutas clarifying his earlier remarks.
Lutas says he didn’t realize the wage would be phased in over five years. He says he’s not worried about closing and backs the measure.
That’s what happens when you elect a Governor who has spent his entire life on Wall Street and has never even been to Main Street. Either he never took an economics class, or he forgot everything they taught him.
A little twisting of Mr Lutas’ arm did the trick.
How much was he paid to retract that statement? 5 years is not sufficient enough to raise the minimum wage and all it does is make the lower class larger because those that already make that much won’t see that much of a raise within 5 years
That’s one of the dumbest unthought out plan ever do they have half of a fucking clue when it comes to math and economics?
Good thing they explained to the diner owner that’s hes not going to be out of business right away but will be phased out within a few years, that should make him feel better.
All for people making more but don’t see how this will work. Why unload a truck for $15 an hour when you can work at Walmart for the same $15 an hour.
A person making minimum wage in NJ can’t afford to live here.