Two PA GOP (Not A Typo) Senators Call For $10 Minimum Wage
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported today that “Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie County, and Pat Browne, R-Lehigh County, are proposing to introduce legislation that seeks to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour and permanently index it to inflation. They also propose setting the $2.83 an hour tipped wage rate at 40% of the minimum wage.
Presently, Pennsylvania is tied with Virginia in having the nation’s lowest minimum wage that federal law allows, according to information provided by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office. If it were set at $10 this year, the commonwealth’s minimum rate would be higher than 10 other states.”
On March 11, on his own website, Laughlin wrote, “I have heard from my constituents and have listened to both sides of the political aisle. It is definitely time that we address the issue and I believe my bill is the most responsible way to approach it. My legislation increases Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $10 and – based on inflation – would provide for regular increases as appropriate.”
Governor Wolf has proposed raising the state’s minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 to $15. He hasn’t indicated whether or not he would a bill that only called for a $10 minimum wage.