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Pennsylvania House adopts close vote to amend county-tiered minimum wage bill
Summary
The Pennsylvania House agreed to an amendment that changes how a proposed county-phased minimum wage would apply, adopting the amendment 102–101 and sending the bill back to be reprinted as amended.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a narrowly divided amendment to legislation that would raise the state minimum wage and phase increases by county. Representative James Dawkins, majority chair of the Labor Committee, offered amendment A01006, which the House adopted by a 102–101 vote.
The amendment, described by Dawkins on the floor as adjusting timing and tier placement for some counties and delaying a living cost adjustment in counties of the first class, was intended to refine the phased rollout the underlying bill proposes. Representative Dawkins urged members to support the amendment, saying it “makes change to the minimum wage rates” and asked colleagues for an affirmative vote.
Opponents said the county-by-county approach would create confusion for employers and workers. Representative Grove, minority chair of labor, argued the amendment and the county-based system would “increase, I guess, minimum wage requirements” in adjacent counties and make compliance unclear for businesses and employees.
After the amendment vote, the House clerk announced the ayes as 102 and the nays as 101, and the chair declared the amendment adopted. A later floor announcement said all remaining amendments were withdrawn and the bill as amended would be reprinted. The transcript does not record a final passage vote on the bill during this session; the House recorded the bill as “agreed to” for reprinting.
Why it matters: The measure would restructure how the minimum wage increase is applied across Pennsylvania counties. Lawmakers warned the county-tiered approach could create administrative uncertainty for employers and workers, while supporters said it would allow localized implementation reflecting differing local costs.
Key details - Action: Amendment A01006 to the minimum wage bill was adopted 102–101; the bill as amended was reprinted for further consideration. The amendment was offered by Representative James Dawkins (majority chair, Labor Committee). No final passage vote is recorded in the transcript. - Principal floor speakers: Representative James Dawkins (maker of the amendment), Representative Reichert (withdrew an earlier amendment), Representative Grove (opposed). Quotes are taken from floor debate as recorded.
What wasn’t decided: The record in this session shows the bill was amended and reprinted; the transcript does not show final passage or the bill’s ultimate enactment status.
Outlook: The bill will appear again in reprinted form for subsequent consideration. If the House moves forward, additional amendments or a final passage vote could follow in a later sitting.
