PA senator introducing bill raising minimum wage to $11 by 2028

(WJET/WFXP) — One Pennsylvania state senator announced Wednesday he’s planning on proposing another piece of legislation to raise the Commonwealth’s minimum wage, which is currently among the lowest in the nation.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since 2009, when it was raised to match the federal minimum wage. State Senator Dan Laughlin said he wants to raise it to $11 per hour in the next three years with a new piece of legislation.

Under the proposal, the minimum wage would increase each year starting Jan. 1, 2026, to $9 per hour, then $10 a year later and finally $11 by Jan. 1, 2028, calling the bump in wages an economic necessity.

“This legislation is about catching up,” Laughlin said. “Most employers in Pennsylvania are already paying above minimum wage because they have to in order to attract workers. It’s time the law reflects that reality.”

He also said wage increases in neighboring states like Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Ohio put Pennsylvania at a competitive disadvantage and that the bump in wages would help reduce reliance on public assistance.

Laughlin proposed a similar bipartisan bill in May 2023 to bring PA’s minimum wage to $15, but it never made it past the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

Pennsylvania is one of 21 states whose minimum wage matches or is below the federal minimum wage.