In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $11.00 per hour by 2028. Our current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not been raised since 2009 and is one of the lowest in the nation. This stagnant rate fails to reflect the rising cost of living and leaves thousands of hardworking Pennsylvanians struggling to make ends meet. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, thirty states have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

A wage increase is not just a moral imperative but also a practical solution to many economic challenges. Studies consistently show that raising the minimum wage improves financial stability for workers, reduces reliance on public assistance, and boosts consumer spending—strengthening local economies across the Commonwealth. 

Neighboring states, including New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, have already taken bold steps to increase their minimum wage, leaving Pennsylvania behind in attracting and retaining a stable workforce. As inflation erodes the purchasing power of low-income families, we have an obligation to ensure that those who work full-time jobs can afford basic necessities such as housing, food, and healthcare. 

This legislation will increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to:

• $9.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026
• $10.00 per hour effective January 1, 2027
• $11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2028

 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this initiative to uplift Pennsylvania’s working families, reduce income inequality, and foster economic growth.