Senator of State Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, speaks at a press conference, announcing a draft law on the legalization of marijuana with a democratic state of sleep. Sharif Street, D-Hiladelphia, February 24, 2021 (courtesy of the Democrats Senate)
The Senator of the Republican State wants Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to boost to $ 11 per hour.
Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) announced his plan on Wednesday to introduce regulations that will gradually boost the wage in three phases.
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The first boost would be up to USD 9 per hour, with effect on January 1, 2026, while the second jump will be implemented on January 1, 2027 for $ 10 per hour, and the final phase would be USD 11 per hour, and on January 1, 2028.
“This legislation consists in catching up,” said Laughlin. “Most employers in Pennsylvania already pay the minimum wage above, because they have to attract employees. It is time for the law to reflect this reality.”
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The minimum wage of Pennsylvania is 7.25 USD per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage and is lower than all border states – New York, Ohio, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Laughlin’s proposal would put the form of the Ohio and West Virginia community, but behind other neighboring states.
Has not increased in the Commonwealth since 2008 and Laughlin said he was putting in an adverse competitive situation.
“Raising the minimum wage is not only about honesty. It is also an economic necessity,” said Laughlin. “It helps reduce dependence on public aid, increases consumer expenditure and strengthens local economies.”
Over the past few sessions, many efforts have been made in the general assembly to boost the minimum wage.
In June State House transferred a bill towards the party This would boost the minimum wage to USD 15 per hour for most Pennsylvania, while smaller rural counties that would be collected up to USD 12 per hour due to January 1, 2028.
This law did not advance in the Senate of the Republican State. Laughlin sent an e-mail to a capital star after the adoption of the Act on the House that he would not support the invoice with the approach of the unit.
“Although I appreciate the fact that the house is trying to develop a conversation, I do not support HB 1549 in its current form”, ” Laughlin said then. “The minimum wage related to the size of the poviat only deepens the economic divisions with which we should pay back.
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This is not the first time Laughlin, who also has Author of bilateral regulations to legalize hemp for adultscalled to boost the salary. Two years ago proposed An boost to USD 15 per hour to 2026, from $ 11 per hour 1 January 2024, and then indexing it to inflation.
He describes his current proposal as “a modest, gradual approach that has helped employees keep up with growing costs of maintenance without making a sudden burden on small companies.”
Laughlin plans to formally present his measure in the coming weeks.
While the Democrats have largely charged with a minimum wage boost, American senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), introduced regulations At the beginning of this year, increasing the federal minimum wage to USD 15 per hour.
