Senate Passes Legislation to Increase Minimum Wage, Protect Small Business

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation yesterday that would increase the state's minimum wage while including provisions to protect small businesses, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50), who voted in favor of the measure.

Senate Bill 1090 would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.25 on January 1, 2007, followed by another increase to $7.15 on July 1, 2007. To reduce the burden on small businesses, the bill also includes a lower minimum wage for businesses with the equivalent of 10 full-time employees or less, as well as a lower minimum wage for workers age 17 and younger.

"This legislation balances the interests of workers who are struggling and small businesses who pay those wages, but more importantly keep those jobs," said Robbins. "I am pleased that Senate Republicans and Democrats were able to work on a bipartisan basis to get this done."

This legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322