Jimmy Vielkind is reporting at Politico New York a coalition of business groups has announced its united opposition to a proposed minimum wage increase. The groups say the wage hike will cause job losses upstate. Speaking at a press conference in Albany Wed., Nov. 4, the groups said they intend to counter the argument that increasing the minimum hourly rate to $15 will help erode income inequality and inject spending into the economy. The coalition includes the National Federation of Independent Business, Farm Bureau and more than a half-dozen regional groups. At the event Wednesday, Kathy Muncil, CEO of the Fort William Henry hotel and conference center in Lake George, said the minimum wage increase to $8.75 this year led her complex to decided against opening a restaurant. Art Price, who runs a Roto Rooter franchise in Binghamton, said the increase will prompt him to raise his prices by 30 percent. Price said, “This is nothing more than an increase in the state welfare program,” although it “circumvents” actual government assistance. A Cuomo spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, said a majority of New Yorkers and dozens of elected officials support a minimum wage hike. He said, “If you work full time you shouldn’t be condemned to a life of poverty." National Federation of Business executive director Mike Durant said the coalition wants to send the message to the Legislature that the business community is largely united and engaged on the issue. Read the full story at Politico New York.