HARRISBURG – The PA House approved a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage in a tiered way to give every worker a base level pay of $12 an hour by 2028. Unlike previous proposals, House Bill 1549 takes a regional approach to raising the wage, tying it the local cost-of-living and similar to models implemented in Oregon and New York. Bill sponsor, Philadelphia County Rep. Jason Dawkins says using a tiered approach will allow us to tailor the minimum wage to reflect the cost-of-living in a local area. A $12 wage in Philadelphia is different than a $12 wage in Altoona. The bill reflects that reality and creates a framework to raise the wage for all workers and ensure they can afford to live in their communities. The bill passed 102-101 with all Democrats supporting it and Republicans opposing it and now goes to the state Senate.
REP. JASON DAWKINS