Minimum Wage Bill Passes PA House

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives just passed House Bill 1500, legislation to significantly increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania that would likely result in job losses, fewer employment opportunities and higher costs to consumers.

Pennsylvania's Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) explained in a report last month that approximately 30,000 Pennsylvanians would lose their jobs or see reduced hours if a $15 minimum wage were implemented.

Moreover, the IFO noted that "rural and small employers are more likely to be impacted by the proposal," which increases Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026, requires annual increases thereafter, and increases labor costs on restaurants by as much as 320% in just a couple years.

Representatives Leadbeter and Stender voted Nay on the bill, which passed the House with 103 votes to 100.