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WHEREAS, all workers deserve the opportunity to earn a fair wage that allows them to put a roof over their heads, feed their families, and pay their bills; and
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WHEREAS, nearly a decade has passed since the last federal minimum wage increase, and now more than 70 percent of Pennsylvanians support raising the state’s minimum wage; and,
WHEREAS, research has shown that over the past 20 years, even in regions with high unemployment or weak economic conditions, raising the minimum wage increases worker pay without leading to job losses; and,
WHEREAS, 29 states in total have raised their wage above the federal minimum, including every state surrounding Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, a single parent of one child in Pennsylvania working full-time and earning minimum wage makes well below the federal poverty level (FPL) at 93 percent of the FPL, and raising worker incomes will reduce the number of workers eligible for welfare benefits, helping the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services save $50 million in public benefit costs; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Wolf has included a minimum wage increase to $12.00 an hour in his proposed budget, a move that would benefit 1.4 million workers in Pennsylvania and would create $95 million in new state tax receipts that could be applied to Pennsylvania’s existing structural deficit; and,
WHEREAS, House Bill 1520, introduced by Representative Patty Kim, would increase the minimum wage by $0.50 per year each year from 2019 until the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour in 2024, and would immediately increase the tipped minimum wage to $9.00 with gradual increases to bring it to $12.00 an hour by 2024; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh supports Pennsylvania House Bill 1520, aimed at increasing the minimum wage in Pennsylvania; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Will of Council will be sent to the Allegheny County delegation of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.