Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media state Sen. Daphne Jordan has joined with Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and other members of the Senate Republican Conference in calling for a pause of the scheduled minimum wage increase on Long Island, Westchester, and areas outside of New York City. “It’s crucial that our state step up and help the countless small businesses that are struggling during the ongoing COVID pandemic,” Jordan said in a statement. “A temporary pause in minimum wage increases would help our small businesses that are desperately trying to keep their doors open and avoid laying off workers. ...,” she said. The minimum wage is scheduled to increase December 31, from $11.80 an hour to $12.50 an hour in most of the state and from $13 an hour to $14 an hour in Long Island and Westchester counties. The minimum wage in New York City is $15 an hour, but it is scheduled to remain the same. The letter from 12 GOP lawmakers to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo calls for the increase to be suspended until small- and medium-sized businesses become more stable after the pandemic. The National Federation of Independent Businesses reports 99 percent of small businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program funds have spend down that money entirely and are ready to start the loan forgiveness process. Twenty percent of small businesses believe they will shut down within six months and 19 percent believe they will close within a year, according to the federation. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.