Catholic leader to speak at wage bill rally

A Catholic leader is to speak at a rally Monday on New York City's controversial wage bill.

But the executive director of Catholic Charities stressed that the Archdiocese of New York has not taken an official position on the bill.

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan told The New York Times  that he's addressing the Manhattan rally on the topics of economic hardship and unemployment. He said he'll read a statement from Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

A coalition of religious, labor and community leaders scheduled the rally to urge passage of the bill.

It would require most businesses in city-subsidized developments to pay $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without benefits. The state's minimum wage is $7.25.

Small businesses and manufacturers would be exempt.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has sa the bill would hurt economic development.