DIGNITY AGENDA
ECONOMIC FAIRNESS
We are in Last Place
We have the lowest minimum wage in the nation at $7.25. New York State is $15.00, and New Jersey is $15.13. For far too long, PA has been in last place. The hardworking people of Pennsylvania deserve a raise. It is time to lift people out of poverty.
From Hopelessness to a Renewed Sense of Dignity
Mrs. Alfreda Parker is a longtime Mt. Airy resident. Alfreda and her husband worked to make a comfortable life for themselves. In 2019, Alfreda’s life changed when she lost her husband. Her life was upended further by the COVID-19 Pandemic, when she lost her. As Alfreda described it, “Being out of work for quite some time, the situation had begun to feel sort of hopeless. I had to decide which bills will get paid, which ones won’t, and figure out how I am going to eat.”
Mrs. Parker reluctantly traveled through the heavy rain to attend our first Raise Your Pay Community Meeting. My office followed up with her shortly after the community meeting. Within a few weeks, Mrs. Parker secured a job with a local hospital. This job will double her income and allow her to live with a greater sense of dignity.
Raise Your Pay & improve your quality of life!
Thus far our Raise Your Pay Initiative has recruited eight individuals, with seven additional neighbors expressing interest in joining the program. Participants come from varied backgrounds – working mothers, immigrants, returning citizens – and each person is committed to achieving higher paid work for themselves and their families.
Fair Taxes for PA
My Tax Justice legislation would establish a Fair Share Tax Plan which will:
- Enact fair tax rates on Pennsylvania’s top wealth earners.
- Lower taxes of employee wages.
Over 80% of Pennsylvanians would see lower or no changes to their taxes.
It’s time for Economic Fairness for PA!
Together we can build Economic Fairness that combats the extreme economic inequality.
Become an Economic Fairness and Wage Advocate!
Haywood Working for ECONOMIC FAIRNESS
PA Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on Raising the Minimum Wage for PA in Honor of MLK Day of Service
Harrisburg – January 18, 2021 - At the request of State Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on...
PA Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hearing on Raising the Minimum Wage
We need a just recovery that includes higher pay for Black, brown, and low- paid essential workers
By Art Haywood
While small businesses owners and politicians have demanded that the state reopen quickly, the reopen health risks are largely on black, brown, and white low-paid workers. Essential grocery store, restaurant, food service public transit workers stayed on the job to save us as many of us stayed at home, even worked from home.
Own Our Solutions with Senator Art Haywood – Minimum Wage and Legislative Issues
For MLK Day of Service, Hundreds Gather For March to Raise Wages
Hundreds of people were late for appointments today, January 20, 20020. The reason they were late can be placed squarely on Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and Rep. Jim Cox who have done nothing to raise the state minimum wage past $7.25/hr. They have had...
Germantown community stands together for wage increase
The Germantown community came together on Martin Luther King Day to continue pressuring the owner of a McDonald’s franchise at 29 E. Chelten Ave. to address what participants called wage injustice. State Sen. Art Haywood along with the Rev. Kent Matthies, who is...