If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to support your family and pay your bills. It is impossible to raise a family on the wage of $7.25 per hour. Even households of one cannot feed themselves, pay rent and utilities, and save for their future on a $7.25 per hour wage. While big corporations are grossing higher profits, the average consumer is burdened with paying the higher product price. We need to ensure that Pennsylvania’s workers are getting paid a fair and living wage.

My legislation will increase the hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour beginning January 1, 2026. The minimum wage will also be increased with a cost-of-living adjustment for workers beginning January 1, 2027, and each year thereafter on January 1. The cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage will be calculated by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland area. My bill will also give municipalities the ability to set a higher minimum wage.

We need to ensure that all workers are getting paid what they are worth. Without a fair wage, we will never ensure an equal and just society for all Pennsylvanians. $7.25 per hour is not equal, it is not right, and it is not fair. Please join with me as we bring a fair and living wage to Pennsylvania workers.