The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved legislation that would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029, sending the proposal to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
Lawmakers passed House Bill 2189 on a 104-95 vote Tuesday, marking the latest effort to increase Pennsylvania’s base wage, which has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009. The proposal outlines a phased approach, with the minimum wage rising to $11 in 2027, $13 in 2028 and $15 in 2029. After reaching $15, wages would be adjusted annually based on the cost of living.
The bill also includes provisions allowing counties to adopt a $15 minimum wage sooner if they choose, and sets wages for tipped workers at 60% of the standard minimum.
Supporters say the measure is long overdue. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that still adheres to the federal minimum wage, while all of its neighboring states have enacted higher rates. Advocates argue the current wage has lost significant purchasing power over time, with state officials estimating a decline of more than 30% since it was last increased.
Jason Dawkins, who introduced the bill, has framed the legislation as a step toward ensuring workers can earn a living wage. Backers contend that raising wages would boost consumer spending, reduce employee turnover, and improve overall economic stability for working families. They also point to potential savings in public assistance programs, including Medicaid, as incomes rise.
Josh Shapiro has consistently pushed for a higher minimum wage since taking office and has urged the Senate to act on the proposal. The House has now passed similar legislation three times in recent years, but those efforts have stalled in the upper chamber.
More than 500,000 workers in Pennsylvania currently earn less than $15 an hour, according to the governor’s office, highlighting the scale of the potential impact if the measure becomes law.
Opponents, while not detailed in the House vote summary, have historically raised concerns about the potential impact on small businesses and employment levels, particularly in rural areas where labor markets and costs differ from urban centers.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to take it up for consideration. No timetable has been set for a vote, and it remains unclear whether the proposal will advance or be amended.
If approved by the Senate, the measure would go to the governor’s desk for final approval. If the chamber does not act, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage will remain unchanged at $7.25 — extending a 17-year stretch without an increase.
Source: Fox29, pa.gov.