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
McRaise the Wage Rally on MLK Day
Senator Haywood and Power caroled to McRaise the Wages
State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined POWER to Carol for A McRaise event outside of the Chelten Avenue McDonald’s. This was an effort to get owner Derek Giacomantonio to raise the wage of his employees to $15 an hour.
“We came back to this McDonald’s to share the message of the season,” said Senator Haywood. “Hopefully our songs will heal Derek G’s heart and allow him to pay his employees a living wage.”
Pa. Minimum Wage Increase Won’t Happen Until 2020
Pennsylvanians waiting for an increase to the state’s minimum wage will have to wait until 2020. A Senate Bill to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 per hour passed the Senate in November, but the House Committee where the Bill sits did not bring it up for a vote. That...
Senator Haywood And Power Caroled to McRaise the Wage to Advocate for Minimum Wage Increase for Local Workers
Philadelphia – December 19, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined POWER to Carol for A McRaise event outside of the Chelten Avenue McDonald’s. This was an effort to get owner Derek Giacomantonio to raise the wage of his employees to...
Pennsylvania Democratic Legislators Evoke Grinch, Scrooge to Denounce Inaction on Minimum Wage Legislation
Philadelphia, PA, December 18, 2019 – Democratic legislators from both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly evoked The Grinch and Scrooge to denounce the inaction by House Republican leadership on Senate Bill 79, legislation that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by January 2022.
Members of The PA General Assembly Hosted Press Conference Following Senate Passage of Minimum Wage Legislation
Harrisburg – November 20, 2019 – Today, State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), joined State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), State Representative Patty Kim (D-103), State Representative Chris Rabb (D-200), and advocacy organization State...