I regularly hear from constituents who are concerned about Pennsylvania’s minimum wage and the ongoing debate around raising it. One thing people mention again and again is how different the cost of living can be depending on where you are in the Commonwealth. What might be a workable wage in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia may not make sense at all in smaller towns or rural communities, and vice versa.

Even though market forces have already pushed wages higher, as shown by the fact that only 1.1 percent of Pennsylvanians earn the federal minimum wage, I also recognize that communities face very different economic realities. That’s why I will be introducing the Freedom in Wages Act to modify Pennsylvania’s prohibition on local governments setting their own minimum wage levels.

We may not all agree on a statewide increase, but I hope we can agree that our municipalities deserve flexibility. Local officials know their residents, employers, and economic conditions far better than anyone at the state level. Giving them the option to set a local minimum wage allows communities to decide what works best for them.

Right now, Pennsylvania’s one size fits all approach does not reflect the wide range of living costs across the state. Housing, transportation, and basic expenses can vary dramatically between urban, suburban, and rural areas. These differences create practical challenges for any statewide minimum wage proposal, because a single number simply cannot reflect every community’s needs. Allowing local flexibility would help ensure that minimum wage decisions are better aligned with the economic circumstances of each region, while still preserving statewide standards where appropriate.

I hope you will join me in sponsoring this important piece of legislation.