Stop me if you’ve heard this before.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted to pass comprehensive legislation to raise the minimum wage for workers statewide.
Instead of jumping from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour as many would like, The House voted to adopt the phased increase to $11 per hour effective January 1, then increasing to $13 per hour in 2028 and finally to $15 in 2029, followed by an annual cost of living adjustment.
The Commonwealth’s 67 counties would also have the option to move early to $15 an hour and set the minimum wage for tipped workers at 60% of the statewide minimum wage.
“My mission has been to provide a living wage for all working Pennsylvanians, and the House’s passage of this bill is a huge step forward in achieving that mission,” said lead sponsor Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-Philadelphia) said. “If you work hard, you shouldn’t have to worry about your next meal or having a roof over your head. Pennsylvania needs a minimum wage that works for everyone, not only to survive, but to thrive in our state.”
Pennsylvania has the lowest minimum wage among the states bordering the Commonwealth. The last time the state raised its minimum wage was in 2009, when the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 an hour. Since then, all surrounding states have raised their wages and inflation has increased by more than 50%, while Pennsylvania remains stagnant.
“Research shows that raising the minimum wage does not lead to job losses or business closures,” Dawkins said. “What it actually leads to is financial security and better life outcomes for families living in minimum wage jobs. To my colleagues in the Senate, I am begging you to take up this bill and finally raise wages in Pennsylvania.”
Governor Josh Shapiro urged the Republican-controlled state Senate to take up the bill.
“This is the third year in a row that the House has stepped up to do its part,” Shapiro said in a statement on social media. “The ball is now in the Senate Republicans’ court. It’s time for them to put this to a vote and send it to my desk.”
Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) also urged his Republican colleagues to bring the bill to the floor.
“The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed a minimum wage bill that supports working families, economic development and affordability in one swift move, sending HB 2189 to the Senate,” Costa said in a statement. “Raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour is a top priority for Senate Democrats as we fight for an economy that works for every Pennsylvanian, and we are grateful to have allies in Governor Shapiro and House Democrats on this critical mission. We urge our Senate Republican colleagues to bring this bill to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as possible. Senate Democrats are ready to vote on this bill now, so only one question remains: To what extent Senate Republicans advocate for supporting Hard Working Families in Pennsylvania?”
The the bill was adopted by a majority of 105 to 94 votesas a Republican Representatives Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), Joe Hogan (R-Bucks) i Kathleen Tomlinson (R-Bucks) joined the Democratic majority. Democratic Representatives Frank Burns (D-Cambria) i Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) voted “no.”
HB 2189 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
