New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to empanel board to address minimum wage

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing a plan to get a minimum wage hike for fast-food workers that doesn't require legislative approval.

Cuomo says he told the state labor commissioner to put together a panel that will investigate and make recommendations on what the wage should be.

At a rally Thursday afternoon with union members, Cuomo said the current wage for fast-food workers is too low and "a fundamental violation of the promise of America."

The panel will give its recommendations in about three months, and they won't require legislative approval to be enacted.

Cuomo said fast-food workers turn to public assistance because they can't live on the wages they're paid. He said taxpayers shouldn't end up subsidizing corporations that don't pay their employees enough.