PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania House passed a bill on Tuesday that would raise the minimum wage. Most Democrats were on board, and there was some Republican support as well.
The legislation passed in a 104-95 vote in the Democrat-controlled House. The vast majority of Democrats voted yes, and they were joined by four Republican lawmakers: Joe Emrick, Joe Hogan, Natalie Mihalek and Kathleen Tomlinson.
“It is long, long past due that we get serious about the affordability crisis we are experiencing in this country,” said Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-Philadelphia), who sponsored the bill. “It doesn’t take far to look across state lines and see that every surrounding state has figured this out. Pennsylvania is falling further behind in our crisis for affordability.”
Pennsylvania has had the same $7.25 minimum wage since 2009. New Jersey’s minimum wage went up to $15.92 in January. It is $15 in Delaware.
This bill would raise the Pennsylvania minimum wage in steps — $11 an hour in 2027, $13 a year later, and then $15 in 2029.
Raising the minimum wage has been a priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro, as outlined in his annual budget proposal.
“You shouldn’t have to work two or three jobs just to put food on the table and a roof over your head. We need to raise the minimum wage so Pennsylvanians have a real shot at getting ahead,” Shapiro said in a statement. “The House has answered the call and passed legislation to raise the minimum wage three separate times — now it’s time for the Senate to follow their lead and get this done.”
This is the third time such a bill has passed the state House. The previous two times, there was no movement in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Republicans, including state House minority leader Rep. Jesse Topper, argued that raising the minimum wage would lead to job losses and costs rising even more.
