Are you serious? Nine dollars for this iced coffee! America, it’s 2024 and everything is expensive. Not to mention, living in the Northeast is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. Many of those residents here are living paycheck to paycheck, yet the state of Pennsylvania remains at a minimum wage rate of $7.25 an hour.
Since the Year 2008, with the market crash, much has changed around the world, quickly. Following the crash, in 2009, the state of PA decided its minimum wage needed a change. So, it was set at $7.25. It’s now January of 2024, 15 years later, and PA is still at the same rate. For an added perspective, consider this statistic; From the year 2009 to the present day, there has been a total combined inflation percentage of 42.98%.
In recent years, and even months, every state that borders PA has increased its minimum wage rate by at least $1, but there have been more competitive states whose rate is now $15 per hour. For the working man who lives near the Delaware River, he can travel to New Jersey in a short time and make more than double what he makes in PA. The people who take the largest hit are small business owners. A higher wage can mean more out-of-pocket expenses, and potential cuts, but Gene Marks of the Philadelphia Inquirer found a strategy. Gene devised a list of practices that small businesses can adapt to this kind of change. They include Reduced Hours, reduced overhead, investments in tech, and increases in sales. Gene also changed the idea of having to pay so much per hour. He suggested that businesses should determine the quality of work they’re paying for. Employees are more intent to work if they know they’re getting paid fairly.
Aside from arguments for a minimum wage decrease, Stephen Herzenburg, economist and researcher even said, “Low-wage workers in the state have seen their buying power decrease by 30% in the past 14 years.” Stephen then went on to explain more benefits and said, “Higher minimum wage would increase the pay of 1.4 million Pennsylvania workers and create more economy-boosting jobs.”
In relation to this idea of money for quality, Thomas Mcgann and Natalie Pappas were eager enough to say something about this issue. Natalie currently has a job that pays above minimum wage but could benefit from an increase as a high school student. In her words, “Gas has just become way too expensive, and in order for me to conveniently get around, I need some extra money.” Thomas was a bit different. He said, “If they change the wage to $15 an hour, I would definitely want to get a job” This idea of boosting the economy works, but only if the trade-off is fair. Overall, the issue of minimum wage in PA has become frustrating and aging, but with change comes benefits.
Sources:
https://www.paycom.com/resources/blog/minimum-wage-rate-by-state/
