Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 13, 2013 08:40 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ed Neilson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increasing the Minimum Wage |
| In his State of the Union Address, President Obama showed his support for working families when he called on Congress to increase the federal minimum wage. As we all know, the minimum wage was implemented to ensure a living wage for working families and individuals. However, many families who depend on full-time minimum wage incomes are still living below the poverty level. That is why, in the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would amend The Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $7.35 per hour—an amount 10 cents more than the federally established minimum wage. Unfortunately, the minimum wage has not reflected a positive correlation with the rate of inflation. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, since the minimum wage was last increased in 2009, minimum wage earners have lost a purchasing power of 53 cents per hour. For a minimum wage employee who works 40 hours per week, that is the equivalent of receiving a $520 reduction in pay, annually, compared to the value of the minimum wage four years ago. Although my legislation only provides for a modest increase in minimum wage initially, this bill includes a mechanism for future increases that would coincide with federal minimum wage increases. Under my legislation, whenever the federal government increases the minimum wage, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage would automatically increase to an amount of 10 cents more than what is provided in federal law. As elected officials, it is our job to make policy decisions that can improve the lives of the hard-working citizens of Pennsylvania. One way to achieve this is by setting compensation standards above the federally established minimums. By assuring employees are paid fair wages, we can help restore their purchasing power, and in effect, help working families to better provide for their loved ones. Therefore, I encourage you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1186