ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Several labor unions say more than $400,000 in contributions by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. since 2010 helped bring about the creation of an unusual taxpayer-paid subsidy last month to help employers offset a higher minimum wage in New York. Senate Republicans, who had long opposed an increase in the minimum wage along with some business groups, called the unions' claim "complete and utter nonsense." Republicans senators never had any conversation with Wal-Mart on the issue, spokesman Scott Reif said.