PA House passes minimum wage increase

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to pass comprehensive legislation to raise the minimum wage for workers across the state.

Rather than jump from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour as many would prefer, the House voted to adopt a graduated increase to $11 per hour effective on January 1, and jump to $13 per hour in 2028 and finally $15 in 2029, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustments.

The Commonwealth’s 67 counties would also have the option to move to $15 per hour earlier and set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 60% of the statewide minimum wage.

“It’s been my mission to provide a living wage for all working Pennsylvanians, and this bill passing the House is a huge step forward in that mission,” said prime 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 suitable for everyone, not just to survive, but to thrive in our state.”

Pennsylvania has the lowest minimum wage among the states that border the Commonwealth. The last time the state raised its minimum wage was in 2009, when the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour. Since that time, all neighboring states have raised their wages and inflation has increased more than 50%, all while Pennsylvania has remained stagnant.

“Research shows that increasing the minimum wage does not lead to job losses or business closures,” Dawkins said. “What it does lead to is financial security and better life outcomes for families relying on minimum wage work. To my colleagues in the Senate, I implore you to take up this bill and finally raise the wage in Pennsylvania.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro called upon the state Republican-controlled Senate to take up the bill.

“This is the third year in a row that the House has stepped up to do their part,” said Shapiro in a social media statement. “The ball is now in the Senate Republicans’ court. It’s time for them to bring this to a vote and send it to my desk.”

Pennsylvania Senate Minority Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) also called upon his Republican colleagues to bring the bill to the floor of the chamber.

“The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed a minimum wage bill that, in one swift motion, champions working families, economic development, and affordability by sending HB 2189 to the Senate,” said Costa in a statement. “Raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15/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 in this critical mission. We call on our Senate Republican colleagues to bring up this bill for a vote in the Senate as soon as possible. Senate Democrats are ready to vote this bill up right now, so only one question remains: Where do Senate Republicans stand on supporting Pennsylvania’s hard-working families?”

The bill passed by a 105-94 vote, as Republican Reps. Natalie Mihalek(R-Allegheny/Washington), Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), and Kathleen Tomlinson (R-Bucks) joined the Democratic majority. Democratic Reps. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) and Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) voted no.

HB 2189 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Steve Ulrich is the managing editor of Politics PA where this article originally appeared.