June in Harrisburg
The General Assembly convenes for legislative session every week in the month of June to iron out the details of the state budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. We are required to pass a budget by June 30th and I’m hopeful that we will be on time this year.
One component that I am pushing very hard for is an increase in the minimum wage. Pennsylvania is alone in the Northeast as the sole state that has not increased its wage in more than a decade. We remain at the federally mandated low of $7.25 per hour.
 In collaboration with the House of Representatives, we kicked off a Real Jobs, Real Pay tour last month to highlight businesses who already pay more than the minimum wage and have seen savings with lower turnover of staff and reduced costs from not having to train new employees.
I toured Bar Marco in the Strip District of Pittsburgh with House and Senate colleagues. A few years ago, they eliminated gratuity and started all of their employees on a salary. You can watch that tour here.
There’s more information on the tour around the state and our push to raise the minimum wage at realjobsrealpay.com
I’ll keep you posted on this effort and our other legislative work through the month.
Real ID is coming!
Beginning in October of 2020 you will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or photo id to board a commercial airline flight or enter a federal building. There has been confusion about Real ID, and I want to help you get the answers you deserve.
I hosted a community event in May to answer questions, but please call my district offices if you missed the event or still need help.
In the 43rd
My travels around our district continue for “In The 43rd” and I love being able to bring you a new snapshot of what’s going on in the area every week. Recently, I’ve been to Johno’s Art Gallery in the Southside Slopes, and the Carpenters Training facility, AlphaLab Gear in East Liberty, and The Gallery on Penn.
Look for a new episode on my website and social media every Wednesday at 1pm.
Stay Connected
If you haven’t visited my Facebook page, join the conversation by ‘liking’ the page and follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Plenty of information is available on these pages about community events and issues affecting our friends and neighbors. If you have questions or concerns, send me a direct message or post you thoughts.
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