Pennsylvania House lawmakers voted Tuesday to raise the state’s minimum wage after 14 years at $7.25 an hour, the lowest rate allowed under federal law.
The measure, which is part of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, is likely to become a bargaining chip as House Democrats and Senate Republicans work over the next 10 days to hammer out a state budget that will pass in both chambers.
The minimum wage bill would initially raise the minimum wage to $11 an hour next year, $13 an hour in 2025 and $15 an hour in 2026. Increases each year thereafter would be tied to the consumer price index.
House Bill 1500, sponsored by Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Philadelphia, passed in a 103-100 vote with Republican Reps. Joe Hogan, of Middletown Township, and K.C. Tomlinson, of Bensalem Township, breaking ranks with their caucus.
Reps. Tina Davis, of Bristol Township, and John Galloway, of Falls Township, both Democrats, also voted in favor of the increase.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, has said that $15 an hour is “not a practical number.”
House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery, said after the vote that he’s hopeful that enough Senate Republicans will support the hike for it to pass. Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, introduced an identical bill in the Senate, which has yet to see a vote.
“We need to be pragmatic. We recognize we have 102 [votes]. But we also recognize that this bill is largely a companion bill from a Republican senator. If they won’t pass their...
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