Pennsylvania House bill proposes minimum wage increases for multiple county classes

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting

Pennsylvania's Labor & Industry Committee made significant strides towards increasing the state's minimum wage during their meeting on June 4, 2025. Chairman Dawkins introduced House Bill 1549, which proposes a phased increase in the minimum wage across various counties, marking the first substantial change since 2006.

Under the proposed legislation, the minimum wage will rise to $15 per hour in first-class counties, such as Philadelphia, starting January 1, 2026. This will be followed by annual adjustments based on inflation. For second-class, second-class A, and third-class counties, the minimum wage will increase to $11 in 2026, $13 in 2027, and $15 in 2028, with similar inflation-based adjustments thereafter. Other counties will see a gradual increase to $10 in 2026, $11 in 2027, and $12 in 2028, also tied to inflation.

The current minimum wage in Pennsylvania has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009, leaving the state trailing behind neighboring regions like Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, all of which have higher minimum wages. This stagnation has raised concerns about the economic well-being of families struggling to meet basic needs.

During the meeting, Representative Bernstein proposed an amendment to raise the minimum wage in first-class counties to $45.47 per hour, emphasizing the need for a living wage in urban areas like Philadelphia. This amendment sparked a debate about the feasibility and implications of such a significant increase.

The discussions highlighted the urgency of addressing wage disparities and the economic challenges faced by many Pennsylvanians. As the committee moves forward, the proposed changes could reshape the financial landscape for workers across the state, providing much-needed relief to families and stimulating local economies. The next steps will involve further deliberation and potential adjustments to the bill before it can be enacted.

Converted from Labor & Industry Committee -- June 4, 2025 meeting on June 05, 2025
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