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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Higher Pay for Many NY Service Workers Expected in 2011

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010   

NEW YORK - Legislation awaiting Governor David Paterson's signature should mean pay increases for 2000 janitors and other service workers at local utility companies.

Yonkers Assemblyman Mike Spano supported the measure, which he says closes a loophole in the prevailing wage law. He says that loophole allowed companies such as Con Edison -- which made more than $800 million in profits in 2009 -- to contract out work that paid janitors as little as $8 per hour.

"It's, I think, a very important first step to making sure that people who probably do some of the toughest work out there - some of the work that maybe a lot of people don't want to do - are adequately compensated."

Public utility companies say that higher wage standards would drive up rates, but Spano and other supporters say it would cost only pennies in comparison to their profits.

"I really don't believe that that is going to happen. I think that you are going to see individuals who are adequately compensated for the work that they do and these are not significant parts of the entities' budget."

Spano plans to continue to fight for livable wage laws in 2011. He predicts it will be difficult, given the state's budget deficit, but he is optimistic about Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo.

"We cannot balance the budget on the most vulnerable in our society. We're going to have to be very, very smart about how we move forward. I am excited about having this governor: I think he's smart, he's articulate, I think he gets it."

Governor Paterson has until the end of December to sign the measure or veto it, or he can simply allow it to become law without his signature.




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