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WHEREAS, it has been 15 years since Pennsylvania last raised its minimum wage to $7.25; and,
WHEREAS, every dollar earned by a worker today is worth a full 51% less than it was in 2006; and,
WHEREAS, 32 states and Washington, DC, have increased their minimum wage, including every state that borders Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Shapiro has called for the statewide minimum wage to increase to $15; and,
WHEREAS, 1.3 million Pennsylvania workers would benefit from a $15 per hour minimum wage; and,
WHEREAS, while positive trends in job and wage growth are contributing to a strong and dynamic local economy in Pittsburgh, they are also placing upward pressure on prices, particularly for housing; and,
WHEREAS, empowering Pittsburgh to establish our own minimum wage policies would allow us to ensure that wage scales in our City reflect the economic realities that our residents face, prevent displacement and brain drain, encourage population growth within the City, and help to secure critical workforce pipelines for our growing industries; and,
WHEREAS, by calling for an increased wage, Pittsburgh is joining municipalities across the Commonwealth - including Philadelphia, Allentown, and the City of Lancaster - which have passed resolutions in support of HB1150;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass Representative Roni Green’s legislation (HB1150) to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh urges that any minimum wage legislation include an annual cost of living adjustment and grants municipalities local wage freedom by lifting state preemption on wages; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Will of Council will be distributed to the Allegheny County delegations of the Pennsylvania State General Assembly and to the office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.