HARRISBURG, PA: Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) made a motion to force the Senate to vote on whether to take up his June 10 discharge petition, which would force HB 2189 out of committee and onto the full Senate calendar. This was not a vote on the discharge petition, but a vote on whether to bring up the discharge petition for a vote.
Senate Democrats voted unanimously to bring the discharge petition on HB 2189, a Representative Dawkins Bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15/hour over three years, to a floor vote. Senate Republicans, meanwhile, voted unanimously not to bring the discharge petition up for a vote.
In urging Senate Republicans to take action and address the affordability crisis head-on by raising pay for thousands of workers, Senator Costa releases the following statement:
“On the 20th anniversary of the last time the Pennsylvania Legislature voted to raise the minimum wage, Senate Republicans went on record voting against even considering a minimum wage boost, denying thousands of PA workers a pay raise. The disdain Senate Republicans showed for workers making under $15/hours is astounding and disgraceful. Today’s vote made it absolutely clear that Senate Democrats stand on the side of families struggling to navigate an affordability crisis, while Senate Republicans sit on their hands and allow workers to suffer. Our caucus will never stop fighting for the pay increase our constituents deserve.”
Read more about the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan here.
HARRISBURG, PA − June 24, 2026 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucusgathered in the Main Capitol Rotunda today to champion bills, initiatives, and investments that will bring down the cost of housing for Pennsylvanians and empower renters.
“As the cost of housing and utilities continue to climb and burden Pennsylvania’s working families, Senate Democrats are keenly focused on fighting for a safe, affordable place to call home for every Pennsylvanian,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “Senate Democrats have been leading the way in the housing space, and we continue to advocate strongly for our colleagues across the aisle to join us in tackling the housing crisis facing our Commonwealth.”
Senators drew attention to the myriad successes the caucus has secured in the housing space over the past few years, including the creation of the Housing Opportunities Program, dramatic increases in funding to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the creation of the Whole Home Repairs Program, and the passage of a Pittsburgh Longterm Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP).
However, despite these successes, Pennsylvania continues to lack the necessary affordable housing stock to ensure a safe, affordable home for every Pennsylvanian. As a part of the Governor’s Housing Action Plan, the Department of Community and Economic Development estimates that Pennsylvania will need to build 450,000 new housing units by 2035 to meet projected demand, but without a change in the rate of construction, will fall short by nearly 185,000 homes. Additionally, renters and manufactured homeowners continue to face skyrocketing costs and fees with hardly any legal protection from exploitation.
As of this morning, President Trump is withholding his signature from the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Bill, a landmark, bipartisan affordable housing bill in an attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters and rig future elections in his party’s favor.
As such, Senate Democrats highlighted bills at the state level that would remove barriers to homeownership, increase Pennsylvania’s affordable housing stock, and support renters. Some of those bills include:
- SB 549, which would seal or limit access to eviction records for PA tenants
- SB 1203, which would tackle “tangled titles” and remove barriers to homeownership
- SB 294, which would remove the cap on housing projects currently in the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) law, allowing the program to better support the housing needs of the Commonwealth and make significant progress on closing our housing unit gap.
- SB 746, which would protect residents of manufactured home communities from unjustified lot rent and fee increases, especially from private equity companies
“Affordable housing is really at the core of Pennsylvania’s affordability crisis,” said Senator Vincent Hughes. “Senate Democrats understand the need and we have solutions. Now it’s time for Senate Republicans to join us in getting those solutions over the finish line. We have the opportunity to lift up entire communities by securing these affordable housing investments and implementing commonsense policies that protect our homeowners.”
“The need for action is clear and urgent: hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania homes are estimated to need critical repairs, and nearly 17,000 people remain on program waitlists,” said Senator Nikil Saval. “Add on top utility bills and insurance rates, and it’s no wonder so many homeowners are struggling to afford repairs. The Pennsylvania Home Preservation Program is a major step toward disrupting the ongoing cycle of unaffordability and disrepair, speculation, and community displacement. We need to move this bill, pass it, and fund it for years to come.”
“Housing is a cause of angst for everyone from young families to seniors. No sector of our housing market is immune from steep price increases, including manufactured home communities,” said Senator Judy Schwank. “We have commonsense proposals to protect manufactured homeowners, most of whom are seniors, veterans, and folks with disabilities, from price gouging. This budget is a tremendous opportunity to take action and show Pennsylvanians that we are serious about finding solutions to our housing crisis.”
“One of the most important ways we can address the housing crisis is by cutting red tape and removing barriers to home ownership,” said Senator James Malone. “I introduced SB 1203 to help counties streamline small property title changes to help families of modest means more easily establish legal ownership of homes passed down to them. I’m proud to present this alongside Governor Shapiro and my colleagues’ other proposals, which will work on the housing crisis from multiple angles.”
Learn more about how Senate Democrats are fighting for safe, affordable homes for every Pennsylvanian at PASenate.com/Housing.
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HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) filed a discharge petition for House Bill 2189, introduced by Representative Dawkins. Passed along bipartisan lines in March, this bill would increase the minimum wage to $15 over the course of three years. The bill has languished in the Pennsylvania Senate for months awaiting action.
In urging Senate Republicans to take action and address the affordability crisis head-on by raising pay for thousands of workers, Senator Costa releases the following statement:
“It’s long past time to raise Pennsylvania’s pitiful minimum wage and deliver a meaningful wage increase for thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians. We are an island among our neighboring states in our $7.25/hour minimum wage, and it’s a downright disgrace. The time is now to do the right thing, the smart thing, and the popular thing by raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. By filing today’s discharge petition, Senate Democrats are standing in solidarity with every worker earning less than $15/hour in demanding family-sustaining wages for every Pennsylvanian.”
Earlier today, Senator Costa offered remarks at a Raise the Wage press conference, forcefully calling upon the Senate Republicans to move HB 2189.
Read more about the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan here.
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HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2026 − Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus rallied in support of a bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25/hour, where it has stayed since 2009.
“Senate Republicans have no excuse for continuing to deny hardworking people the pay and dignity they deserve,” said Senator Art Haywood. “It is time for them to stand with working families and cast a vote for a fair, livable wage. Small businesses can even get a tax credit to help cover the cost if leadership will stop blocking the bill. We have the votes. We demand a vote.”
In a bipartisan vote in March 2026, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 2189 which would increase the minimum wage to $15 over the course of three years. The bill currently awaits action in the Pennsylvania Senate.
Senate Democrats have also introduced numerous bills that would raise the wage for Pennsylvania’s workers, including the following:
- SB 19, introduced by Senator Tina Tartaglione
- SB 852, introduced by Senators Art Haywood and Patty Kim
- SB 889, introduced by Senators Steve Santarsiero and Maria Collett
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 as Pennsylvanians face an unprecedented affordability crisis. Governor Josh Shapiro has also repeatedly called for a raise in the minimum wage and has included a minimum wage increase in his budget proposal for 2026-2027.
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa:
“Raising the minimum wage is the popular thing to do, the smart thing to do, and the right thing to do. As Pennsylvania’s families face an enormous affordability crisis, it’s up to the legislature to make sure that those who work for a living can earn a living. I urge Senate Republicans to join us as we fight to raise the wage.”
Statement from Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes:
“It has been 17 years since Pennsylvania raised the minimum wage,” said Senator Hughes. “To put this issue into perspective, every surrounding state has a higher minimum wage, with many already at $15 an hour. Don’t Pennsylvania workers deserve the same respect and value for their work?”
Statement from Senator Tina Tartaglione
“For nearly 20 years, Pennsylvania workers have watched the cost of everything go up while the minimum wage has stayed stuck at $7.25 an hour. The House has acted, Senate Democrats are ready to act, and working families cannot afford any more delays. As the budget deadline approaches, it’s time to stop talking about helping workers and finally raise the wage.”
Statement from Senator Patty Kim:
“The legislature has dragged its feet for far too long while the cost of living has skyrocketed far past what the federal minimum wage supports, wreaking havoc on hardworking families across the Commonwealth who are struggling to make ends meet. It is way past time for Pennsylvania to join the 34 other U.S. states, territories, and districts that have raised their minimum wage and given their workers the boost they so desperately need.”
Statement from Representative Matt Bradford:
“It’s disgraceful and immoral that we are stuck at $7.25 an hour, especially as the cost of groceries, gas, utilities and other necessities keep going up. House Democrats are proud that we have passed multiple bills to raise the minimum wage and that Governor Shapiro has prioritized this issue. I’m grateful Senate Democrats share our commitment to give our workers a much-needed raise, and I call on the Senate Republicans to pass this legislation now.”
Statement from Adam Goldman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project:
“With the cost of living continuing to increase, workers should have a job market that provides wages you can actually get by on. It’s way past time to raise the minimum wage.”
Still photography and downloadable footage of today’s press conference are available upon request.
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – May 12, 2026 − Following reports of the arrest of an individual accused of making terroristic threats against Pennsylvania state legislators, including members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement:
“I am extremely disturbed and appalled by the actions of the individual who stands accused of making violent threats towards elected officials online. Additionally, there was a clear communication breakdown that failed to keep legislators briefed on threats to their safety and subsequent steps taken by law enforcement. The safety of each and every Senator is a top priority, and I look forward to meeting with our security teams and the Pennsylvania State Police to personally ensure that all communications protocols are adhered to going forward.”
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