On July 2, members of Congress will gather at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed.

The grave event will be part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

It will be the sesquicentennial anniversary of the day in which the Second Continental Congress held its final vote on a resolution declaring American independence from Great Britain. Their reasoning will be explained in detail to the public in the document Declaration of Independencewhich was ratified two days later.

Democrat from Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boylein whose district Independence Hall is located, claims that it is the culmination of his efforts to organize a Congress on this occasion.

“Exactly two years ago, I launched an effort to bring members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, back to where it all began 250 years ago: Independence Hall,” Boyle said in a statement. “I am very proud and excited about this historic and unique event. It will be a unifying moment for Congress and our country at a time when we need it most.”

In 2024, Boyle introduced legislation to hold a commemorative joint session of Congress at Independence National Historical Park. Although that resolution was never passed and there will be no formal joint session, Boyle’s office says there will be a celebratory sesquicentennial event.

However, the event will not have a legislative component and few details have been released about the program or the number of members of Congress. Boyle’s office says more details will be announced in the next few weeks.

With just over four months until the 2026 general election, many Democratic county committees have decided to make leadership changes.

Dauphin and Lancaster are two counties that have removed senior leaders and placed novel members at the top of the organization, while in other counties novel blood has replaced those who chose not to seek re-election.

Long time chairman in Dauphin County Rogette Harris was replaced by Mayor Steelton Ciera Dent. Harris held the position for 12 years, becoming the first African American elected as a Democratic county chair.

The writing was on the wall against Harris who she failed to retain her seat on the Dauphin County Democratic Committee in last month’s elections. Dent received 88 of the 136 votes cast by the committee.

“We as a county and as a commission should do more work,” Dent said. “We should be able to get more involved. We should be out there making sure we’re organized, making sure we’re strategizing and making sure we’re supporting our candidates not only when they get on the ballot, but after they win their seats.”

Lancaster Democrats replaced their leadership team With Michael Mezzetti AND Charlotte Brown receiving nods. Mezzetti is chairman of the Hempfield Area Democratic Committee and received 194 votes to overturn Tom O’Brien who received 68 votes.

Brown, chairman of the Lancaster Urban Area Committee, easily won over the former vice chairman Stella Sexton dropped out after O’Brien’s defeat.

Five former party chairs and multiple Democratic elected officials sent letters supporting Mezzetti and Brown’s campaign in the days leading up to Sunday’s reorganization meeting, citing concerns about O’Brien and Sexton’s top-down approach to leading the party. Mezzetti said he plans to apply a “bottom-up” model as chairman so each district can do what’s best for them.

“I am happy with the result and very happy with the further development of the situation and I hope that we will all unite,” Mezzetti said on Sunday.

In Lucerne County Megan Kocher was elected chairman after the previous head of the commission – Mary Anna Petyak – indicated that she was not interested in remaining in this position. She replaced Tomasz Szubila in November after his resignation following a vote of no confidence in him.

Kocher is a member of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party State Committee won the vote by acclamation. Wilkes-Barre controller Tony Thomas was elected vice-chairman.

“Therefore, my priorities will be to conduct open-door interviews to fill vacant positions in the party and attract new people to the team, develop our network and increase our online presence,” Kocher added. “Voter registration will be a huge priority over the next few years. I also plan to create several committees to address the specific challenges the party faces, such as a public outreach committee and a voter registration committee or a public events committee. So my plan is to put good people in leadership positions to get the work done so we can all make a big difference together.”

Lycoming Democrats he also brought in a novel list of officersheaded by a chair Chris Benson and vice-chairman Ariana Moore.

“Their energy and commitment to improving the lives of area residents was palpable,” said Secretary Barbara Hemmendinger, a longtime local activist.

Benson, a local author, journalist and longtime political activist, said among his priorities as county chairman will be helping to shape and pass the growing Home Rule initiative in the city of Williamsport. The study on the principle of self-government was approved by voters during the May primary elections.

Mayor of Phoenixville Piotr Urscheler Is novel chair in chester countytaking over Charlotte Valyoand will cooperate with the novel vice-president Michelle Smith. AND Debbie Noel takes over in Berks Countyit worked Kevin Merchant who stepped down after 12 years.

There will be the novel chairman in Lawrence CountyHow Tim Buck who has held this position for the past four years, is not seeking re-election. This committee meets on June 16 to cast votes.

On Monday afternoon, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dropped a bombshell when it ruled that Pennsylvania Skill games were illegal under the Gaming Control Act.

The state’s highest court has ruled that games of skill are slot machines under Commonwealth law and must comply with state crime and gambling laws.

Stipulation to the ruling – enforcement cannot begin until 120 days have passed, giving the General Assembly time to decide on regulating the machines.

According to her websitePennsylvania arcade games such as Gem Master, Pirates, Shamrock Shenanigans, Sugar and Spice, Under the Mountains and Wildebeest Wild “consist of multiple elements that collectively combine skill elements such as puzzle solving, mental visualization, pattern recognition, observation and judgment, dexterity, remembering and/or recording, and timed response without error.”

In 2014, manufacturer Pace-O-Matic introduced the Pennsylvania Skill game, and the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County ruled it a legal game. In 2023, the Commonwealth Court unanimously ruled that it was a legal game of skill throughout the Commonwealth. There are an estimated 70,000 arcade machines operating throughout Pennsylvania – a number that far exceeds the number of arcade machines in the state.

But today’s ruling changes the game.

Writing the majority opinion, Judge David Wecht stated that “the Commonwealth Court’s interpretation of the applicable statutes, on which the legal status quo entirely depends, is deeply flawed. The Commonwealth Court was wrong on both counts. Under a simple interpretation of the law, ‘gaming of skill’ devices are subject to both the Gambling Act and the Criminal Code.” We therefore reverse the orders of the Commonwealth Court in both the POM and Three Devices cases.”

Wecht also addressed the issue of the 120-day stay.

“Of course, because everything that follows is a consequence of statutory law, our General Assembly is also free to take any legislative action it deems appropriate at any time. To that end, we emphasize that our decision today is not based on, or constitutes an endorsement of, any particular political view regarding the spread of ‘skill games’ throughout the Commonwealth. Determining and implementing Pennsylvania’s “public policy” is the prerogative of our government’s legislative branch, not the judicial branch, and it is a prerogative that the General Assembly has already exercised. To put it more clearly, what one thinks about access to “games of skill” or other types of slot machines – or about the broader legalization and normalization of gambling in our society – is more a matter of uncomplicated application of existing statutory law.

Chief Justice Debra Todd AND Judge Daniel McCaffery joined the opinion. judges Sallie Mundy AND Kevin Brobson joined the opinion on the appeal for 50 MAP 2024.

Judge Christine Donohue submitted a concurring opinionagreeing in the end.

Brobson submitted a concurring and dissenting opinion in which Mundy joined in, in which he agreed that slot machines were subject to the provisions of the Criminal Code, but not the Gambling Act.

Judge Kevin Dougherty did not participate in the dispute or decision.

State decision-makers, including: Governor Josh Shapirorecognized the skill games industry as a potential source of tax revenues, proposing the legitimization and taxation of slot machine revenues at rates similar to those imposed on casinos. The details of these proposals have proven to be a sticking point in recent budget negotiations.

In its 2026 executive budget applicationShapiro suggested 52% tax on gross terminal revenues from arcade gameswhich his administration estimates will generate more than $2 billion annually.

“We appreciate the clarity the Supreme Court provided in today’s ruling,” Pennsylvania said Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) i Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) in a statement. “As expressed in today’s decision: ‘On a plain interpretation of the law, ‘gaming of skill’ devices are subject to both the Gambling Act and the Criminal Code.”

“The proliferation of skill gaming is a public safety issue that must be addressed, and given the timing of this decision, we believe that gaming reform is a key component of this year’s budget solution. Additionally, given the fiscal realities facing our Commonwealth, it is clear that new revenues from gaming reform should be directed to the General Fund, as the Governor proposed in his 2026-2027 budget.”

The Attorney General’s office argued that including a so-called skill element in the games did not exempt the devices from Pennsylvania’s gambling laws.

“Today’s ruling is a significant victory for consumers, taxpayers and the rule of law in Pennsylvania.” Attorney General Dave Sunday he said. “The Supreme Court recognized what our office has argued all along – these machines operate as gaming devices and cannot legally exist without the same oversight, regulation and accountability as other forms of legalized gambling in the commonwealth. Pennsylvanians deserve protections that ensure gaming is fair, transparent and operated within the bounds of the law.”

House Republican Party Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) was encouraged that the Supreme Court’s decision would force the legislature to act.

“Today’s decision will hopefully force us to address an unregulated sector of the gaming industry that has helped both mom and pop and local veterans’ clubs and organizations while negatively impacting classic gaming operations in Pennsylvania.

“It is long past time to implement significant reforms to strengthen the industry as a whole and provide our local businesses with the tools to remain viable in today’s marketplace while protecting our most vulnerable populations from falling into addiction.”

Not surprisingly, Pace-O-Matic opposed this decision.

“We are disappointed in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision and strongly believe that it does not accurately reflect the facts presented – in particular, the same facts that led to a number of lower court decisions upholding the legality of our skill games, including a unanimous ruling by the Commonwealth Court,” the company said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, this opinion will have far-reaching consequences, and the real victims will be over 10,000 small businesses and affiliated clubs in Pennsylvania. They potentially face an impossible choice: stop operating these games and lose an important source of revenue, or strike down a legislative solution that could result in over-regulation and crippling taxes, which will force them to stop operating these games and lose an important source of revenue. A better solution is for the legislature to support a common-sense approach.” legislation that would tax and fairly regulate skill games, such as bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator (Gene) Excuse me (SB 1079) I Representative Danilo Burgos (HB2213).”

No comments were forthcoming from state Democrats.

ELIZABETHOWN, PA: Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Nick Miller (D-14) hosted a policy hearing on rising costs for seniors with Senator Malon. This hearing will examine the rising cost of living and the impact it has on seniors across the Commonwealth.

“We must continue to support Pennsylvania seniors as they struggle with rising costs and mounting financial pressures,” she said Senator Miller. “This hearing highlighted the challenges that many older adults face every day and the need to find real solutions. I have witnessed these challenges firsthand by volunteering with Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley and meeting with seniors who rely on these services. Our seniors deserve the opportunity to age with dignity, and we must continue to work to improve their quality of life and provide them with the support they deserve.”

“The rising costs of essential goods and services have significantly impacted Pennsylvania’s senior population,” he said Senator James Andrew Malone. “People who have worked a lifetime deserve to retire with dignity and without fear of prematurely depleting their resources. There are many seniors in my district. I want lawmakers to better understand the challenges they and their service providers face. I am grateful that Senator Miller came to Elizabethtown to host this important discussion. I look forward to taking these insights with me as we focus on lowering the cost of living for seniors in Lancaster and throughout the Commonwealth.”

The Pennsylvania Department on Aging noted in written testimony that people across the country are feeling the effects of rising costs for housing, food, daily necessities and health care. The Department has emphasized the need to support older adults’ ability to age where and how they choose through services such as home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, health and wellness programs, personal assistance, senior centers, Medicare counseling, transportation, job training, elder abuse prevention, and PACE prescription assistance.

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski testified that the challenge ahead is getting bigger.

“Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states in the country, and Northampton County is seeing the same changes,” Zrinski said. “Every year, more residents are reaching retirement age. More and more families are struggling with care, transportation, food insecurity and long-term care. This is not a temporary situation. This is a fundamental change in our population that requires a real response.”

Austin W. Cawley, legislative director at LeadingAge PA, talked about the biggest cost pressure seniors face: housing.

“If Pennsylvania is serious about meeting the growing demand for affordable housing for seniors, it must support innovative and financially sustainable models like this,” Cawley said. “Pennsylvania’s Housing Action Plan can help by promoting inclusive, mixed-income housing strategies, financing models that combine market-rate and affordable housing, and sharing best practices so providers can replicate effective approaches. With this support, Pennsylvania can bring senior housing online more quickly and at lower cost while maintaining strong community outcomes.”

Feleen Nancarvis, executive director of Meals on Wheels in Lancaster, testified about senior services that have been repeatedly funded on a lump sum basis for years.

“I will say our seniors face impossible challenges,” Nancarvis said. “It’s the same with individuals and the systems that support them. Meals on Wheels is a service that provides assistance to individuals in the community, their families and caregivers. We also provide an crucial public-private partnership. As Josh Protas of Meals on Wheels America says, investing in nutrition services for seniors is simply ‘astute fiscal policy.’ Meals on Wheels will keep vulnerable community members out of emergency rooms and reduce the financial burden on the state’s health care system.”

Hailey Spangler, Program Director of ECHOS Lancaster, testified about their organization’s mission to empower families and individuals experiencing housing instability and insufficient income in the northwestern region of Lancaster County.

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that older adults are the fastest growing age group of people experiencing homelessness,” Spangler said. “They comprise almost half of the population, and their numbers are expected to increase and triple by 2030.”

In its written testimony, AARP Pennsylvania noted that as the state’s population ages, rising costs for necessities such as food, housing, health care and transportation are increasingly straining household budgets. The organization emphasized that lawmakers cannot balance the budget or protect families without addressing rising spending on social services and recommended that the Committee conduct audits of MCO CHC service providers to ensure quality and reduce cost-increasing practices that do not improve care.

Testimony at the hearing were:

• Pennsylvania Department of Aging
• Northampton County Board Office
• ECHO in Lancaster
• PA Leading Age
• Meals on wheels

Senator Nick Miller was elected political chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024.

Footage of the hearing and written testimony from the panel are available at: PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Downloadable photos and videos are available upon request.

Learn more about AP Senate Democrats’ commitment to protecting our Commonwealth’s health care needs and other legislative priorities at www.pasenate.com.

Testimonies

HARRISBURG, PA – June 10, 2026 −Today, Senate Democrats provided critical and necessary support for the successful passage of the resolution Senate Bill 908which ensures that work performed on public projects is covered by the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act.

This bill, long supported by Senator Tina Tartaglione, ensures that off-site manufacturing, including HVAC, sheet metal and plumbing work, among others, must continue to meet Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage standards, ending a practice that allowed workers to be paid less for projects that would be more pricey if done on-site. The bill ended the practice of split rates, in which an employee receives two different rates for the same work on the same day.

Senate Democrats united to vote down three amendments that would have made the bill unacceptable. These changes would prevent workers from receiving fair and legal wages.

In response to the passage of SB 908, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement:

“As steadfast supporters of Pennsylvania workers, Senate Democrats were pleased to advance Senator Tartaglione’s legislation from the Senate for consideration in the House. This bill reflects our long-standing commitment to ensuring that the hard-working men and women who put their work into public projects receive proper compensation for their skills and time. Our caucus is proud to support Pennsylvania’s skilled craftsmen and we look forward to continuing to fight alongside our unions for a winning wage.”

Next at the SB 908 crossing, Senator Tina Targalione added the following:

“For too long, Pennsylvania’s skilled workers have been denied universal wage protection simply because critical portions of a public construction project were completed off-site. Senate Bill 908 modernizes our existing wage law to reflect the realities of today’s construction industry and ensures that workers in contract manufacturing jobs receive the fair wages they earn. I am grateful to Leader Costa and my Democratic Senate colleagues for supporting Pennsylvania merchants and merchants and helping to change this significant wage legislation. one step closer to becoming law.”

Learn more about AP Senate Democrats’ commitment to affordability for every Pennsylvanian here.

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Hello, weekend

Headlines. Fitzpatrick leans on GOP cash to criticize leadership. Where Garrity and Shapiro advocate abortion. Even in a climate of male uproar, women still make profits. Exit with Mbappé.

Your morning, pick me up. The house is spinning | Stevie Ray Vaughan

Weather in Pennsylvania
Bethel Park | Getting sunnier, 81
Hershey | Mostly bright, 92
Długi Staw | Mostly bright, 86

Sports PA
Phillies (37-31) | Friday-Sunday in Milwaukee
Pirates (35-34) | Los Angeles Dodgers 6-8 | Friday-Sunday vs. Miami
USMNT | Friday – Paraguay

What we hear. The Republican State Leadership Committee will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the launch of “States Don’t Wait” multi-point advertising campaign runs through five battleground states, including Pennsylvania. The ad will be supported by six-figure purchases on digital platforms and will focus on how state Republicans are cutting taxes while liberals support out-of-touch policies that would raise costs for Americans.

Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].

PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.

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The most significant story

1. Fitzpatrick Increases Criticism of House GOP Leaders Even as He Begins to Rely on Their Campaign Cash

“How US Representative Brian Fitzpatrick as the fiercest re-election fight in years began over the last two months, a moderate Bucks County Republican called for restrictions President Donald Trump war in Iran and for prohibiting the creation of the so-called “anti-gun fund” that could reward the president’s allies.

He was talking about a Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro potential presidential candidate and said he would “100%” become independent if Pennsylvania didn’t have closed primaries.

But behind the scenes, Fitzpatrick has begun to leverage his party’s expansive resources to assist him win re-election and, Republicans hope, maintain GOP control of the narrowly divided, 435-member House.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

Elsewhere

According to an AP-NORC poll, Trump has lost support among independent politicians. “The analysis by researchers at the Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Center shows that while about half of non-college-educated independents had favorable views of Trump during the 2024 election period, his approval of that group dropped to about a quarter this spring.” | AP

Congress will hold a special gathering in Philadelphia to mark the 250th anniversary. (*12*) | TIME

The Department of Justice is pushing the boundaries of its authority over state elections. “The department once tried to stay out of state elections by urging caution. It now continues to make claims of fraud as President Trump returns to his baseless claims that elections cannot be trusted.” | New York Times

Bresnahan’s proposed legislation aims to maintain local control over data center development decisions. “U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan has introduced new legislation aimed at protecting small communities that reject data center applications from federal lawsuits.” | WVIA

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Country

2. Governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro support abortion

“Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, countries have become the main battlefield for expanding or limiting access to abortion.

This November, Pennsylvania voters will choose between candidates for governor who have radically different positions on what the commonwealth should do.” | PA reflector

Elsewhere

Garrity details plans to release natural gas in Pennsylvania. “You could call it a combination of ‘Drill Baby Drill’ and ‘Unleash the Beast.’ Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity revealed her plan to “unlock Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry” on Tuesday during a speech before the Marcellus Shale Coalition in Hershey. | PoliticsPA

Senate Democrats are trying to file a discharge petition in an attempt to raise the state’s minimum wage. “With a new arrow in their quiver, Senate Democrats have filed a discharge petition that will force Republicans to vote on legislation to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.” | PoliticsPA

Saval and Senate Democrats want to ban ICE on AP election sites. “Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ legislation would prohibit ICE officials from being within 100 feet of polling places, ballot drop boxes and ballot drop-off areas.” | Key

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Around the Republic of Poland

3. Even in an atmosphere of male adversity, women still make profits

“This is a testosterone-fueled and sometimes toxic moment in American politics. We have a White House that often lapses into swagger — and that’s when it’s on its best behavior. And Democrats are not immune to this.”

Controversy surrounding a candidate for the Maine State Senate Graham Platnerfor example, they led Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman demand a full accounting of any nude photos Platner may have transmitted, using terms that may themselves be more explicit than necessary. (Don’t stare at the photos too long, senator, so they don’t look at you!)

But a look beyond the headlines suggests that women continued to escalate their political power WESA

Elsewhere

Parker signs $7.1 billion budget after City Council approval. “The Philadelphia City Council approved a $7.1 billion city operating budget for fiscal year 2027, a week after rejecting many of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s controversial tax proposals.” | WHY

Dauphin County Democrats are choosing a novel chairman after a long, contentious leadership battle. “The Dauphin County Democratic Committee (DCDC) convened Thursday evening to reorganize, electing Steelton Mayor Ciera Dent as the new committee chair.” | PennLive

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Editorial

4. What do you think about it?

• The real victims of gerrymandering: independent voters | Anna Pingel
• Tired of GOP chaos? Do something about it | Eugene DePasquale
• ‘Dinosaur’ stumbles as Philadelphia’s Democratic machine loses ground in district elections | Daniel Pearson
• Stacy Garrity cashes in while Pennsylvania schools grapple with rising insurance costs | Scott Overland
• Is this all from the GOP Congress? | Wall Street Journal
• PA’s economy cannot sustain the proposed state budget | Emily Brey
• Mandatory parental leave will decimate diminutive businesses in Allegheny County | Andrew Lewis

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1 item

5. Philly Kids have an unforgettable World Cup moment

“Gavin Hernandez had one item on his birthday wish list: an electric scooter.

That was before he found out he would spend his 12th birthday taking the field during a World Cup match against an international soccer star.

Why it matters: Gavin is one of 20 kids from a Kensington youth program selected for FIFA’s player escort program – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that puts local children at the center of the world’s biggest sporting event.’ | Axios Philadelphia

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Thank you for starting your weekend with us.
Make the most of it. See you on Monday.

HARRISBURG, PA – June 10, 2026 – Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus gathered to support a bill that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009.

“Senate Republicans have no excuse to continue to deny hard-working people the pay and dignity they deserve,” he added. said Senator Art Haywood. “It’s time for them to stand with working families and vote for a living wage. Small businesses could even get a tax break to cover their costs if leaders stop blocking the bill. We have the votes. We demand the vote.”

On a bipartisan vote in March 2026, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 2189 which would raise the minimum wage to $15 over three years. The bill is currently pending in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Senate Democrats have also introduced numerous bills to raise wages for Pennsylvania workers, including:

• SB 19introduced by Senator Tina Tartaglione
• SB 852introduced by Senators Art Haywood and Patty Kim
• SB 889introduced by Senators Steve Santarsiero and Maria Collett

Raising the minimum wage is a key pillar of the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan, a series of bills and legislative initiatives aimed at improving wages and lowering costs in the face of an unprecedented affordability crisis. Gov. Josh Shapiro has repeatedly called for raising the minimum wage and included a minimum wage boost in his 2026-2027 budget proposal.

Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa:
“Raising the minimum wage is the popular, smart and right thing to do. As Pennsylvania families face a massive affordability crisis, it is the Legislature’s job to make sure those who earn it for a living can earn a living. I am calling on Senate Republicans to join us in the fight to raise the wage.”

Statement from Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes:
“It’s been 17 years since Pennsylvania raised the minimum wage,” said Senator Hughes. “To put this issue into perspective, every surrounding state has a higher minimum wage, and many are already at $15 an hour. Don’t Pennsylvania workers deserve the same respect and value for their work?”

Statement by Senator Tina Tartaglione
“For nearly 20 years, Pennsylvania workers have watched the cost of everything increase while the minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 an hour. The House has taken action, Senate Democrats are ready to act, and working families can’t afford any more delays. As the budget deadline approaches, it’s time to stop talking about helping workers and finally raise wages.”

Statement by Senator Patty Kim:
“The Legislature has waited far too long while the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond the federal minimum wage, wreaking havoc on hard-working families across the Commonwealth struggling to make ends meet. It’s past time for Pennsylvania to join the 34 other U.S. states, territories and counties that have raised the minimum wage and given their workers the support they so desperately need.”

Statement from Representative Matt Bradford:
“It is shameful and immoral that we are stuck at $7.25 an hour, especially as the costs of groceries, gas, utilities and other necessities continue to rise. House Democrats are proud that we have passed multiple bills to raise the minimum wage and that Governor Shapiro has made this issue a priority. I am grateful to Senate Democrats who share our commitment to giving our workers a much-needed raise, and I urge Senate Republicans to pass this legislation now.”

Statement from Adam Goldman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project:
“As the cost of living increases, workers should have a labor market that provides wages they can actually live on. It’s high time to raise the minimum wage.”

Photos and downloads from today’s press conference are available upon request.

More information about the Senate Democrats’ Action Plan on Affordability can be found here.

#####

Using a up-to-date arrow in their quiver, Senate Democrats have filed a discharge petition that will force Republicans to vote on a bill to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania.

A discharge petition is a way to withdraw a bill from committee and submit it to a vote for consideration without a committee report by “granting” discharge to the committee from further consideration of the bill or resolution.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) filed a motion to House Bill 2189 it would raise the commonwealth’s minimum wage to $15 over three years, to $11 next year, $13 in 2028 and $15 by 2029. HB2189 was passed by the House of Representatives in behind schedule March by a 104-95 vote and is among 20 House bills pending before the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

“It is long past time to raise Pennsylvania’s pathetic minimum wage and provide a meaningful pay raise to thousands of hardworking Pennsylvanians,” Costa said in a statement. “We are an island among contiguous states and our minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is a disgrace. It’s time to do the right thing, the smart thing and the popular thing, by raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. With today’s discharge petition, Senate Democrats stand in solidarity with every worker earning less than $15 an hour to demand a family-sustaining wage for every Pennsylvanian.”

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) agreed with Costa.

“It’s a disgrace and it’s not a national disgrace,” Bradford said. “This is a disgrace specific to Pennsylvania. Politics has a moral dimension, and the moral dimension means we must operate on a $15 an hour minimum wage, with no additional delays and no more policy BS.”

“I think if Democrats in the House really wanted to raise the minimum wage, they could do it,” he said Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) c WHTM-TV. “I would say the Senate Republican House would be willing to negotiate on this. I’ve talked to a lot of them, but they don’t really want to do that. They want to use it as a political stunt to get a majority in the Senate.”

The motion to grant discharge must be put to a vote within 10 days of the session. While it is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled state Senate with a 27-23 majority, it would force GOP members to vote yes or no on the issue during the election cycle in even-numbered districts.

Senator Frank Farry (R-Bucks) is one of the Republicans running for re-election and has said he may support the bill.

“There’s a Sesame Place in my neighborhood,” Farry said. “If we set the minimum wage too high, Sesame Place won’t be able to hire high school and college students to operate the theme park, so we have to balance it all.”

Currently, 34 states, territories and counties have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. In three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the minimum wage is less than $7.25 an hour. All eight states generally have a federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. well below neighboring countriesincluding:

New York, $16.00
New Jersey, $15.92
Delaware, $15
Maryland, $15
Ohio, $11.00
West Virginia, $8.75

This is estimated by the Keystone Research Center, a source of independent analysis of Pennsylvania’s economy and public policy Wages for 865,600 Pennsylvania workers will boost if lawmakers raised the minimum wage for all non-tipped hourly workers to $15 an hour. An boost in the minimum wage to $15 an hour would directly affect nearly half a million Pennsylvania workers (460,000) and indirectly affect 405,600 workers.

Governor Josh Shapiro he continued to urge the Senate to pass the bill and put it on his desk.

“Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour for over 15 years, which means it continues to lag behind the cost of living and hundreds of thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet,” he said. Shapiro. “You shouldn’t have to work two or three jobs just to set the table and keep a roof over your head. We must raise the minimum wage so that Pennsylvanians have a real chance to make progress. The House answered that call and passed legislation to triple the minimum wage – now it’s time for the Senate to follow suit and do it.”