2014 New York Laws
LAB - Labor
Article 19 - (650 - 665) MINIMUM WAGE ACT
650 - Statement of public policy.

 650. Statement of public policy.  There are persons employed in some
  occupations  in  the  state of New York at wages insufficient to provide
  adequate maintenance for themselves and their families. Such  employment
  impairs  the  health,  efficiency,  and  well-being  of  the  persons so
  employed, constitutes unfair competition  against  other  employers  and
  their  employees,  threatens  the  stability  of  industry,  reduces the
  purchasing power of employees, and requires,  in  many  instances,  that
  wages  be  supplemented  by  the  payment of public moneys for relief or
  other public and private assistance.  Employment  of  persons  at  these
  insufficient  rates  of  pay  threatens the health and well-being of the
  people of this state and injures the overall economy.
Accordingly, it is the declared policy of the state of New  York  that
  such   conditions  be  eliminated  as  rapidly  as  practicable  without
  substantially curtailing opportunities for employment or earning  power.
  To this end minimum wage standards shall be established and maintained.