Restoring the value of the Minimum Wage
By: Sen. Vincent Hughes  

          Pennsylvania’s working poor spent the 2005 holiday season hoping for a Christmas miracle – an increase in the state minimum wage.

          If majority Republicans in the Senate make good on their promise to do “something” on the minimum wage this month, let’s just hope that long overdue gift isn’t a fancy wrapped box that contains nothing inside.  Unfortunately, that is likely what the working poor will get if the watered down House version (House Bill 257) of the minimum wage increase is approved.

         Legislation that weakens a modest increase in the minimum wage is an insult to Pennsylvania workers everywhere and doesn’t come close to solving the problem.   But, that is exactly what House Bill 257, as amended, does.   The plan increases the minimum wage in two-small steps over a two-year period to $6.25 per hour, yet doesn’t come close to making a complete stride toward fairness for those working at the minimum wage.

          Senate Bill 926 is the only legislation I support on the issue of minimum wage.  Senate Bill 926, sponsored by my Democratic colleague, Sen. Christine Tartaglione, works toward the restoration of what has been slowly drained from working families as a consequence of years of inflation.  It would increase the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour and include a cost-of-living adjustment as a hedge against inflation.  Under Senate Bill 926, the minimum wage would be raised to $6.25 starting January 1, 2006 and $7.15 starting January 1, 2007. Beginning January 1, 2008, the minimum wage would be adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. 

          Since 1997, the last time the minimum wage was increased, inflation has reduced its value from $5.15 to $4.42.  Given this reality, it is of paramount importance that the meager proposal advanced in House Bill 257 does not seep into Senate bill 926 as an amendment and undermine a real increase in the minimum wage. 

          My Senate Democratic colleagues and I will not tolerate maneuvering that doesn't lift the working poor from the depths of poverty.  It is unacceptable to consider adopting any proposal that does not provide workers earning the minimum wage with a decent increase or at least address the minimum wage’s eroding buying power.

          Advocates have worked too hard over the years to keep working families from sinking deeper into poverty.  Too much is at stake to accept the passage of an inferior bill and to allow majority Republicans to mislead working families into thinking that the state legislature actually did something on the minimum wage.  The citizens of Pennsylvania have put their faith in legislators to do what is just and fair.

          While Republican leadership has assured supporters that they will finally allow a minimum wage vote this month, it is imperative that working people let them know that a half-measure cannot be accepted.  Fair wages for those who work hard at the lower end of the income spectrum is what is needed. 

          It is important that we are finally positioned to move legislation that would finally bring fair wages to Pennsylvania’s working poor.  The agreement to bring this issue to a vote is definitely a step forward.  However, the crusade Senator Tartaglione, others and myself took up will not end until minimum wage earners see a reasonable increase in their paychecks.

          Our objective remains to move this bill out of the Senate by the end of January.  The time for half-measures and lip service has passed on the minimum wage issue. Now is the time to do what is right and pass a meaningful increase in the state’s minimum wage.