As the state House of Representatives moves closer to enacting a bill to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, Democrats have been pushing for this conclusion for a long time, while Republicans have been opposed to it.
House Bill 1549 would raise the minimum wage for the majority of Pennsylvanians to $15 per hour; however, in some of the state’s more rural counties, the minimum wage would only be raised to $12.
Also included in the proposal is an increase in the minimum wage for workers who get tips.
One of the sponsors of the bill, Representative Jason Dawkins (D-Philadelphia), stated that “we are falling far, far, far behind” during the committee discussion that took place the previous week. “In light of the current state of the economy, I believe that it is our responsibility as elected members to provide assistance to families all over this Commonwealth who have had difficulty affording these fundamental necessities.”
At the moment, the minimum wage in the Commonwealth is $7.25, which is the same as the federal amount. Since 2008, it has not increased, and it continues to be lower than the rates in the states that are located in close proximity to it, like New York, Ohio, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
Both the period that is outlined in the bill for the proposed minimum wage and the minimum wage that will ultimately be implemented will differ from county to county.
When the first of the year 2026 arrives, the minimum wage for employers in Philadelphia County will be fifteen dollars.
On the other hand, the minimum wage would steadily climb until it reaches $15 or $12 on January 1, 2028 respectively. The discrepancy is due to the population of the area. With the exception of Centre, Pike, and Monroe Counties, this means that the minimum wage will only increase to $12 in counties that have a population of less than 210,000 people.
Using data from the federal government regarding the cost of living, the minimum wage would be raised on a yearly basis beginning in the year 2029.
On Tuesday, Representative Seth Grove, a Republican from New York, voiced his opposition to the plan by referring to its county-based tier system as a “dumb idea.”
“I look at York right next to Adams County. We’re gonna have two different rates for those two now,” Grove stated. “How do businesses operate under such draconian policies? How is anyone supposed to figure this out?”
While the majority of Republicans are against raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, Democrats have long advocated for it.
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However, Governor Josh Shapiro has always supported raising the minimum wage. He wrote that the existing minimum wage is “too damn low” in a social media post on Monday.
“It’s time to put more money back in Pennsylvanian’s pockets and raise the minimum wage,” he stated.
Additionally, the plan would increase tipped workers’ minimum wage from the current $2.83 per hour to 60% of the minimum wage. If the minimum wage is $15, that would be $9; if it is $12, that would be $7.20.
Before passing, House Bill 1549 needs to be voted on one more in the state House. Additionally, it will need to gain backing in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
Republicans nationwide are demanding that the minimum wage be raised. A bipartisan bill that would raise the minimum wage nationwide to $15 was filed by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
