It is beyond time to raise the wage in Pennsylvania and move to a livable wage for all workers. It is unacceptable for Pennsylvania to have the lowest minimum wage in the country, lower than every single bordering state, which makes it harder to retain and recruit workers in our region.
That’s why it is so exciting that Rep. Roni Green and Sen. Christine Tartaglione introduced legislation to raise the statewide minimum wage to at least $15 an hour, with a cost-of-living adjustment so wages stay current with inflation.
To respond to the reality of different regions in Pennsylvania with different economic needs and capacity, the bill also contains a measure for local leaders to decide wages for their own communities by implementing “Local Wage Freedom” — putting the power of determining local wages back in the hands of the people of Pittsburgh, not Harrisburg.
In a place with an economic landscape as diverse as Allegheny County, it’s crucial that local governments have the ability to make decisions and regulations when necessary without interference of overreaching laws around wages.
As federal cuts are looming, the time to make sure our workers right here in Allegheny have a livable wage is actually right now.
Ethan Rhabb
Larimer