NY Speaker pushes for minimum wage hike, Dream Act

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver renewed his push to increase the minimum wage and pass the Dream Act on Wednesday as state legislators worked to finish their work for the year.

The two measures are among hundreds of pieces of legislation that remain in play in the final weeks of the session. They enjoy broad support in the Assembly but face big hurdles in the Senate. The Senate’s Republican leader has said he doesn’t expect the Senate to consider any contentious, high-profile bills before adjourning, but Silver said he remains hopeful.