In 2013, Governor Cuomo raised the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25 and by the end of this year, it may hit $9. However, Cuomo and other New York Democrats are planning on it being $10.50 and maybe even at $11.50 within a few years. This increase in the minimum wage has come after the wage was raised in cities such as Seattle and San Francisco to $15. According to CNN, The average fast food CEO makes around $23 million. While many workers of fast food restaurants make minimum wage and most live on food stamps, which cost the taxpayers of New York $700 million a year. "New York can set fast-food workers on a path out of poverty, ease the burden on taxpayers and create a new national standard," Cuomo said.