Pennsylvania House passes bill that would gradually increase minimum wage

The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage.

House Bill 2189, also known as the Minimum Wage Act of 1968, passed the Democrat-controlled State House with bipartisan support on Tuesday, 104-95. Four Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while two Democrats voted against it.

“It has been my mission to ensure a living wage for all working Pennsylvanians, and this House-passed bill is a major step forward in that mission,” said the bill’s sponsor, State Representative Jason Dawkins (D-Philadelphia). “If you work hard, you won’t have to worry about your next meal or keeping a roof over your head. Pennsylvania needs a minimum wage that’s affordable for everyone, not just to survive, but to thrive in our state.”

If passed, the law would gradually raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 to $15 in 2029, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustments.

The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled State Senate.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said on social media that “the ball is now in Senate Republicans’ court,” urging them to bring the bill to a vote and send it to his desk.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has not been increased since 2009.

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