Nonprofit Named for Cuomo's Father Backing Governor's Push for Higher Minimum Wage

Mayor Bill de Blasio is facing criticism for using privately funded nonprofit groups to promote his agenda, but he is hardly the only New York politician to do so. A nonprofit named for Governor Andrew Cuomo's father, Mario Cuomo, is busy backing the governor's push for a higher minimum wage. NY1's Grace Rauh takes a close look at the group and reveals for the first time who is putting the money behind it.

Governor Andrew Cuomo rode through the city on an RV bus on Tuesday, pressing state lawmakers to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour.

"What we can do to make a difference is stand up for the middle class, stand up for the working families. Make work pay," Cuomo said.

The bus is part of the Mario Cuomo Campaign for Economic Justice, a privately funded nonprofit group. The governor himself is involved, riding on the bus and speaking at stops around the state.

A spokesman for the campaign says it is entirely backed by unions or labor-affiliated groups. So far, it has collected contributions from Local 1199, SEIU International, Local 32BJ, Amalgamated Bank and Healthcare Education Project. The spokesman would not say how much they have donated.

"The people supporting this coalition are the same that ignited the $15 minimum wage campaign nationwide and are committed to getting it done this year in New York," the spokesman said.

A government watchdog who has raised concerns about an outside nonprofit group affiliated with Mayor Bill de Blasio says similar issues are at play here.

"Clearly, it's an outside entity that is coordinating with the governor. Certainly, it raises questions about a shadow government," said Susan Lerner of Common Cause New York. "And it is being run by the governor's political operative."

Earlier this week, Common Cause asked the city's Conflicts of Interest Board and the New York City Campaign Finance Board to investigate the mayor's arrangement with his group, the Campaign for One New York. Common Cause is arguing that the setup may be in violation of the city charter and the city's campaign finance laws.