Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office has announced an increase the minimum wage, effective Dec. 31. For those living upstate, the hourly rate will go from the current $10.40 to $11.10. Workers in New York City will see their compensation increase to either $13.50 or $15 per hour, effective New Year's Eve. The $15 minimum wage legislation was adopted as part of the 2016-17 state budget, and the phase-in is scheduled on a regional basis. For workers outside of the New York metropolitan area, the hourly rate will eventually reach $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020. That rate will thereafter continue to increase to $15 an hour on a schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget and the Department of Labor. The state also launched a Wage Theft Hotline, or 1-888-4-NYSDOL, for workers to report employers who do not comply with the increase. Read the full press release at governor [dot] ny [dot] gov.