HARRISBURG, PA − September 29, 2026 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa’s Discharge Petition on HB 2189, a Representative Dawkins Bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $15/hour by 2029, has reached its tenth day on the Senate’s calendar with no action from the Senate Republicans, who control the calendar. As a result, the discharge petition simply falls off the calendar.
The Senate Republicans’ continued inaction means that the non-tipped minimum wage in PA will remain at a paltry $7.25/hour, even as Pennsylvanians weather an unprecedented affordability crisis impacting the cost of groceries, gasoline, utilities, home repairs, and school supplies.
“Senate Democrats have been sounding the alarm for years and years that Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is indefensible and must be raised to guarantee that individuals who work for a living can earn a living,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “There is one clear impediment to the minimum wage being raised in Pennsylvania, and that is the leadership of the Senate Republicans. Pennsylvania is an island among our neighboring states for our pitiful minimum wage, and it’s long past time to make the changes necessary to raise the wage. Let’s get it done.”
In a bipartisan vote in March 2026, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives sent House Bill 2189 to the Pennsylvania Senate. That bill, along with three Senate bills that would raise the minimum wage, has languished in committee without a hearing or a vote.
“Enough is enough. Pennsylvania workers have waited more than 20 years for a meaningful increase in the minimum wage, and they cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Senator Tina Tartaglione, Senate Democratic Whip. “House Bill 2189 passed the House with bipartisan support, yet Senate Republicans allowed the discharge petition to expire without action. At $7.25 an hour, the lowest allowable wage in the country, workers are falling further behind as the cost of everything from groceries to gas continues to rise. More than a million Pennsylvania workers would benefit from a minimum wage increase to $15, including the many who earn just above the current minimum. We know what needs to be done. It’s time to stop the wait and raise the minimum wage.”
On June 10, 2026, Senator Costa filed a discharge petition to force HB 2189 out of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, calling Pennsylvania’s minimum wage “a disgrace.”
Subsequently, on June 30, House and Senate Democrats held a rally to mark the 20thanniversary of the last time the PA legislature voted to raise the minimum wage (changes to federal law resulted in an increase in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage in 2009).
Senator Costa made a motion during session that day to force the Senate to vote on whether to take up his June 10 discharge petition to force HB 2189 out of committee and onto the full Senate calendar. Senate Democrats unanimously voted up this motion, while Senate Republicans unanimously voted the motion down. As a result, the discharge petition was not brought up for a vote, and HB 2189 remained in committee.
Raising the minimum wage is a key pillar of the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan, a series of bills and legislative initiatives to improve wages and reduce costs for Pennsylvanians.
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan here.
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