PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — In his budget address Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro renewed a promise that was a large part of his campaign: raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
To loud cheers from those in the Capitol rotunda, Gov. Shapiro said more than doubling the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is the smartest decision for Pennsylvania’s economy.
“We have seen proof that Pennsylvania workers living in border counties would rather drive into another state for work so they can earn a higher wage than take a job at home in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “It’s time we raise our minimum wage to $15 an hour here in Pennsylvania.”
It’s a message that brings hope to Harold Santos-Sanchez, a community activist and volunteer at Katie’s Cupboard food pantry on Howard Street in Philadelphia. Before he started volunteering with the organization last September, Santos-Sanchez came to Katie’s Cupboard seeking a meal.