Pennsylvania

Democrats in Pa. Senate pushing to raise minimum wage

HARRISBURG, Pa. — There is a new push to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania. But, people working in the service industry are concerned the proposal could hurt their financial health, rather than improve it.

“There’s obviously a lot of pros and cons with the minimum wage being raised,” said Kelsi Meade, bartender at Nadine’s Diner.

Meade loves working at Nadine’s diner, but she has struggled during the pandemic and is hopeful and end is coming soon.

“A struggle it is. We took a big hit. But, hopefully there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” Said Meade.

More money may be on the way for those making the minimum wage. In Pennsylvania, that rate is currently $7.25 per hour, which is the same rate as the federal level.

Senator Christine Tartaglione and Representative Brendan Boyle are pushing to raise the commonwealth’s rate to $12 per hour this year and add an additional 50 cents each year until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour.

“Today marks 5,317 days since the Pennsylvania legislature last raised the minimum wage. That’s more than 14 years and it is far too long.” Said Tartaglione.

“Obviously, we will be making more money, but that is going to affect everybody. They may not be able to tip me as well. Because, they may be out of a job,” said Meade.

Meade is concerned raising the rate will cause many folks to lose their jobs, but Senator Tartaglione says, roughly two million Pennsylvanians would benefit, including people in our underserved communities.

“My legislation would enable many workers to leave that second and third job and spend more time with their children as well as go back to school,” said Tartaglione.

The proposed bill would also eliminate sub minimum wage for tip earners, which is currently set at $.283 per hour, helping servers and bartenders, but costing small businesses more.

“I’m gonna have to pay more for milk, more money for gas. I’ll have to pay more for my rent. It is going to hurt a lot of people.” Said Meade.

At the federal level, President Joe Biden has called for congress to adopt a $15 per hour minimum wage as part of his economic recovery plan.