The Pennsylvania House recently passed HB820, “Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit,” with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. This Bill gives working families who earn just enough money to live above the poverty line a break on their PA income tax.
My question is – does anyone see the hypocrisy here? Our elected officials have failed to increase the minimum wage since 2006. Folks, ask yourselves, how many jobs and how many hours would you have to work to support yourself and your family, earning $7.25 an hour?
Representative G. Roni Green has introduced HB 1150 to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026 with annual cost of living increases. It also raises the minimum wage for tipped employees to 70% of the minimum wage.
Senator Christine Tartaglione has introduced SB 19, which supports a $15.00 minimum wage. She wrote in favor of a “Comprehensive Modernization of the Minimum Wage,” noting that Pennsylvania is one of only fifteen states who maintain the lowest possible minimum wage. Surrounding states all have a higher minimum wage, making our Commonwealth the least attractive labor market in the Northeast.
House Bill 820, supporting a tax credit for the working poor, is some help but what Pennsylvanians really need is a dignified wage for their labor. Workers earning the least are often essential to our daily lives. It is wrong to make people work to earn wages that will lock them into poverty.
Maggie Waggoner (5/15/2025)