The House Appropriations Committee budget hearing Tuesday featured a sparring match between Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) and Acting Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino over whether raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 as Gov. Wolf proposed is a good thing.
Rep. Grove said there are 158,000 Pennsylvanians currently earning minimum wage. Raising the wage to $10.10 would mean the hike would cost businesses over $1 billion.
“They (minimum wage increase advocates) always perpetuate a certain class of people they’re trying to help out, but it’s not the case. In Pennsylvania the average hourly worker rate is $24.40. Minimum wage workers have been on the decline for a number of years,” said Rep. Grove.
“The goal here is that good paying jobs and good earning jobs raise all boats. The goal here is that good paying jobs and good earning jobs raise all boats,” said Manderino. “We will, in Pennsylvania, as we bring employee salaries up, we will also be supporting families and we will also be supporting businesses because folks will have more disposable income to spend.”
Written testimony and a video of each House hearing will be posted on the Republican House Appropriations Committee webpage.
Testimony Available
Kathleen Kane, Attorney General (Audio File)
