Assemblyman Michael Blake is backing a state bill that would mandate the restaurant industry establish a living wage for restaurant workers that predominantly rely on customer tips to make ends meet. The bill has stalled in the Albany Legislature despite a pledge from Governor Andrew Cuomo to see look into it.

A portion of Blake’s announcement saw him work as a waiter for an hour at Bronx Draft House on May 28, a move intended to underscore the difficulties of the serving trade. “There will be some impact to your bottom line,” said Blake should the bill pass.

While the bill has economic ramifications for the entire state, including the economically depressed Bronx, Blake, a candidate for the 15th Congressional District, opted to hold the event rallying for the bill at a restaurant settled outside the 79th Assembly District Blake represents. He chose, instead, to cover it within the 84th Assembly District, currently represented by Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, who did not appear at the event. The restaurant, on Gerard Avenue just near Yankee Stadium, falls within the 15th Congressional District.

“I think most members probably would agree with that, that you do things in your own district, and if you’re doing something outside you do it either with another member or the agreement of another member,” said one Assembly Member, who asked not to give his name. “I don’t think most people would consider it very collegial to do that.”

Such a move seems to blur the lines between official business and campaigning, a strategy that’s dogged Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democratic presidential candidate. De Blasio has entered gray lines by holding city-sponsored, campaign-style rallies on several initiative announcements over the last few weeks, echoing the same political patter at both city-sponsored events and campaign gatherings. De Blasio has denied such a strategy exists.

“The answer is no,” said Blake on whether the event doubled as a campaign event. Blake added the event was held at Bronx Draft House since the eatery’s owners were selected by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus as the top entrepreneurs in New York State in 2018.

“Many of the workers and their customers here actually come from the district,” said Blake, referring to the 79th Assembly District and its proximity to the 84th Assembly District. “It’s important to send the message that it’s not just about one physical space; it’s about the leadership and the ownership and the teams that are a part of this. Bronxites don’t focus on lines, they focus on justice.”

Though he hasn’t officially declared his candidacy for the 15th Congressional Race, Councilman Ritchie Torres has also ventured into the district since expressing interest in running, hosting news conferences there as of late. In an article by City & State, Torres said his position as chair of the New York City Council’s Oversight & Investigations Committee takes him outside his district.

Blake, who also serves as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, has attempted to establish more roots in the 15th Congressional District since announcing his run. He held his campaign kickoff event in the Port Morris section of the Bronx , away from the 79th Assembly District, which overlaps with the 15th Congressional District. A spokeswoman said there was no particular reason he held the event outside the Assembly district he’s represented since 2015.

Blake is one of 23 co-sponsors of the bill that would provide a living wage to servers while also still being able to accept tips. The Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United, an advocacy group that’s been pushing the bill, joined Blake in drumming up support for the bill as part of the One Fair Wage campaign. The organization has been working with Blake on the issue for some time. The effort has also been backed by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a former bartender.

“[The] restaurant industry is one of the fastest growing industries in America, but unfortunately it’s absolute lowest paying even here in New York and that is largely due to the money, power, and influence of a trade lobby called the National Restaurant Association; we call it the ‘other NRA,’” said Saru Jayaraman, president of ROC, also in attendance.

Jayaraman said the concept of tipping dates back to the days following slavery, where freed slaves would be given restaurant jobs and be tipped instead of given a salary.

“Today, New York is one of 43 states with a sub-minimum wage for tip workers that is a literal legacy of slavery,” said Jayaraman.

Removing the sole concept of tipping would also ease the pressure of keeping quiet should a restaurant server be confronted with poorly behaved customers, according to Serena Thomas, a restaurant worker, who spoke at the event. “If I call someone out for saying inappropriate stuff that they do, they might not tip me as well, or they might not tip me at all,” said Thomas.

Opponents of the bill have reportedly noted that a change in the economic structure of the restaurant industry can force restauranteurs to rely on self-serving kiosks for customers to place orders.

With 13 session days left in the legislative session, where lawmakers are hammering out high-priority bills like a rent reform package, marijuana legalization, and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, the chances this bill will be taken up appears remote.

Blake stood firm in his timing, saying the effort is about “doing the right thing.”

“[T]he reason why we’re doing this is saying that we want to see this happen,” said Blake.

“And in the same way we have to talk about rent regulations, we should be talking about the workers, what’s going on in the restaurants. In the same way we’re talking about what’s still happening with charitable bail we should be talking about the workers and what’s happening with One Fair Wage. We see this as a priority.”