WILLIAMS CALLS FOR INCREASE IN PA MINIMUM WAGE

 HARRISBURG, DEC. 5 – During a Harrisburg news conference today, state Sen. Connie Williams said that increasing the minimum wage would be a welcome holiday gift for many Pennsylvanians.

 “It is immoral that we still have this low of a wage in Pennsylvania,” Williams said. “People who earn minimum wage are hard pressed to find a place to rent, let alone pay for electricity, food and other basic necessities of life. A vast majority of minimum wage jobs do not offer health insurance, as well. Do you know what it is like living from paycheck to paycheck and hoping not to get sick, or not needing to go to a dentist or eye doctor?”

 Williams joined other Senators during the news conference to ask the Republican Majority to allow a floor vote on increasing the minimum wage before the end of the year. The Senate is scheduled for six session days in December.

 Williams noted that Pennsylvania’s current minimum wage of $5.15 an hour would provide an individual income of only $10,712 a year, which is well below the federal poverty level for a family of two ($12,830).

 “And when you figure in inflation, the buying power of the dollar decreases. Today’s minimum wage is the equivalent of only $4.19 in 1995,” Williams said.

 During the news conference, Williams -- who is co-sponsor of legislation (S.B.926) to increase minimum wage – spoke about a survey that was conducted by the Main Line Chamber of Commerce on proposals to increase the minimum wage.

 “Of the initial respondents, 72.3 percent were in favor of plans to gradually increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage,” Williams said. “These are business owners. The support for a minimum wage increase is there.”

  “While raising the minimum wage is not the sole solution to ending poverty and strengthening the state’s economy, it is part of a larger solution,” Williams said. “It would also remove a roadblock for people trying to transition from welfare to work. Everyone should have the opportunity to earn a decent wage. People need to work to survive.”

 “It is time for Pennsylvania to again make the minimum wage a living wage,” Williams said.

 The news conference was hosted by Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) who asked for a vote on the Senate floor on the minimum wage bill prior to adjournment before Thanksgiving. Majority Leader David Brightbill (R-Lebanon) responded that there would be no action this year.