Pennsylvania House Passes Tiered Minimum Wage Bill

The Pennsylvania House has narrowly passed House Bill 1549, which would raise the statewide minimum wage for the first time since 2009 through a tiered system based on county population. Philadelphia would reach a $15 minimum wage by 2026, the next most populous counties would do so by 2028, and all other counties would see an increase to $12 by 2028. All counties would also receive annual cost-of-living adjustments starting in 2029. The minimum wage for tipped workers would rise to 60% of their county’s minimum. The bill passed on a party-line vote and is now part of broader state budget negotiations, but faces further hurdles in the Republican-controlled Senate. Supporters argue the bill is needed for Pennsylvania to catch up with neighboring states, while opponents warn of negative economic effects.