HARRISBURG, JANUARY 12, 2007 -- State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today praised U.S. House action on the nation’s minimum wage, and urged the U.S. Senate to quickly follow suit. 

“In America today we have a patchwork of wage laws that creates confusion for employers and an uneven playing field,” Tartaglione said. “After years of inaction, the federal government is finally seeing the wisdom of creating a national minimum wage that protects low-wage workers from inflation.” 

Tartaglione, the prime sponsor of Pennsylvania’s new minimum wage law, said reports from across the nation suggest that businesses in states with higher minimum wages are doing well by keeping quality workers and reducing training costs.

           “Scare tactics from the big business lobby have been doused by the real evidence on the ground,” Tartaglione said. “It’s time for America to recognize the value of its work force and set a national standard.”

           Less than a year after successfully steering a raise in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage through the legislature, Tartaglione said she will introduce legislation that will apply a cost-of-living adjustment to Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.

“As politicians play games, low-wage workers lose a dollar a day to inflation,” Tartaglione said. “State and federal lawmakers have seen fit to protect themselves from inflation through cost-of-living adjustments.  It’s time to protect all workers from sinking into poverty.”

A recent New York Times article pointed out that in the side-by-side states of Washington and Idaho, employers paying the higher minimum wage in Washington are enjoying booming business and workers traveling hours to find better jobs, while Idaho employers struggle to staff businesses.

     “We are seeing that a higher minimum wage can be good for employers, employees and the entire community,” Tartaglione said.