Gov. Josh Shapiro urged lawmakers Tuesday in his budget address to more than double the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour to address a national worker shortage.
Speaking directly to Republicans at a joint session of the House and Senate, Shapiro asked GOP lawmakers to work with him so Pennsylvania can join nearby states that have already raised their hourly rate above the federal minimum of $7.25.
Democrats, who have previously tried to raise the state’s minimum wage, cheered Shapiro’s proposal.
Democrats control the House by a razor-thin margin, and top leaders have said raising the minimum wage is one of their top priorities for this legislative session. Former Gov. Tom Wolf tried unsuccessfully in many of his budget proposals to get the GOP-controlled General Assembly to raise the minimum wage.
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However, GOP leaders seemed to soften last legislative session when Senate Republicans expressed interest in raising the wage and considered legislation to increase it — though they proposed more modest rates than Shapiro’s $15-per-hour pitch.
“This feels like one of those fights that’s gripped our politics for so long that some people on the other side don’t even know why they’re opposing Pennsylvania workers anymore,” Shapiro said.
No legislation has been considered yet to raise the minimum wage to Shapiro’s requested $15-per-hour rate. House Democrats will likely pass an increase in the coming months, but negotiations with Senate GOP leaders might not take...
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