Wolf speaking Monday morning in Harrisburg.
Credit: State of PA
Governor Tom Wolf on Monday signed an executive order to increase the minimum wage for state workers and state government contractors.
The executive order signed Monday by the Democratic governor will raise the minimum wage for workers under his jurisdiction from $7.25 to $10.15 per hour.
From Wolf’s office:
The executive order also covers employees of organizations that negotiate state contracts or that lease property to the commonwealth. Those employees that perform direct services to the commonwealth or spend at least 20 percent of their working time on ancillary services related to the contract or lease will be paid a minimum of $10.15 an hour. This provision will take effect when contracts or leases are solicited or bilaterally modified on or after July 1, 2016. If the legislature acts to expand the raise to the entire state, revenue would be boosted by roughly $60 million annually, providing additional resources to fund critical programs across the commonwealth.
Wolf’s move comes after a Republican-controlled state House of Representatives and Senate have shown little effort to raise the state minimum wage above the federal minimum of $7.25.
“Since the beginning of my administration, I have made creating good paying jobs, increasing efficiency, and achieving cost savings in state government top priorities,” said Wolf. “An increase in the minimum wage will achieve efficiency and cost savings for state government, reduce state expenditures on income support programs, and give valued employees a well-deserved raise.”
Falls Township-based State Rep. John Galloway, a Democrat, applauded Wolf’s executive order and was standing near the governor when he signed the executive order Monday in Harrisburg.
“The current $7.25 minimum wage in Pennsylvania is antiquated. Many people continue to struggle to pay their bills while raising a family,” Galloway said. “Providing an increased wage would give these people more purchasing power and the ability to afford basic necessities, contributing more to our overall economy.
Recently, Galloway has co-sponsored a bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. However, Galloway said increasing the minimum wage must be done in a “responsible manner” as not to hurt the working class.
Wolf called on state legislators to raise the minimum wage for all workers.
“A minimum wage increase to $10.15 per hour supports local businesses, creates new jobs, and would boost state revenue by roughly $60 million annually,” he said.
