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Pennsylvania State Senate
06/05/2024 06:53 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=40898
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 1, 2023 03:56 PM
From: Senator Art Haywood
To: All Senate members
Subject: Establishing One Fair Wage of $15 in PA
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to establish one fair minimum wage for Pennsylvania’s workers.
 
Pennsylvania has not raised its minimum wage in over a decade, and stagnancy of the tipped minimum wage has lasted even longer. All surrounding states have increased their minimum wage rates, leaving Pennsylvania behind. Pennsylvania has not updated its minimum wage since 2006, and as a result, we now maintain the lowest allowable rate in the country. Keeping people in poverty is not how we move Pennsylvania forward.
 
My legislation will establish one fair minimum wage of $15 per hour starting on January 1, 2024. This includes elimination of the separate tipped wage. The legislation will also eliminate the preemption provision preventing local municipalities from increasing their own minimum wages above the state minimum, as well as provide for an annual cost of living adjustment to ensure wages keep up with inflation.

Raising the minimum wage and establishing one fair wage for tipped workers are the responsible things to do. These efforts will provide working families with a reasonable chance of keeping up with dynamic economic conditions. Working families that earn more increase their financial capacity to spend, injecting revenue into Pennsylvania’s economy, and strengthening our overall financial health.
 
Polling conducted by Keystone Research Center has shown that the majority of Pennsylvanians want a $15 per hour minimum wage, particularly when it comes to boosting the dignity of work and stimulating the economy. Continued refusal to put raising the wage up for a vote in the House and Senate denies the dignity and respect of hardworking people.
 
Please join me in sponsoring this legislation to ensure that all of Pennsylvania’s workers are treated with the dignity, respect, and fairness they deserve.


Introduced as SB772