Gov. Josh Shapiro applauded the passage of the state budget, which includes billions in K-12 education subsidies and increased funding for career and technical education. However, the budget agreement did not address several other issues, including legalizing and regulating skill games and raising the state’s minimum wage.Businesses in downtown and Midtown were asked what a minimum wage increase would mean for their bottom lines. The one business that did speak on camera said a wage increase is a cost, but one they are willing to pay. “I enjoy signing checks for the people that are doing work,” said Zach Madar, co-owner of Anna Rose Bakery, on 2nd Street in Harrisburg.Madar and his wife have co-owned Anna Rose Bakery on Second Street for the last two years. Madar previously worked at Best Buy before owning a bakery.”I was selling TVs, and now I sell cupcakes; it’s like a complete lifestyle change,” Madar said.When asked, Madar said that wages make up 60% of his expenses, adding it was no surprise minimum wage was not included in next year’s state budget. Minimum wage is a hot topic for lawmakers since the last time the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved an increase in 2006. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which is the same in Pennsylvania.”That’s kind of been on the tip of the tongue of the whole nation for like 20 years now is the $15 an hour, and it’s just never happened,” Madar said. Madar said his workers already make close to or above $15 an hour, including tips.”I very much support minimum wage that’s higher than $7.25. I mean, I couldn’t imagine even paying our tipped cashiers that low,” Madar said. In his address last night, Shapiro briefly mentioned minimum wage.”The progress that we made over the last few years, we stayed at the table to ensure that the foundation we built only got stronger,” Shapiro said. “Now, look, there’s a lot of work that is ahead, and there’s a whole lot more that I want to do that I’m going to do, like raising the minimum wage.”Republican lawmakers said the budget is responsible. In a statement, Sen. Scott Martin, (R), 13th District, highlighted key areas Senate Republicans focused on in budget discussions.”Going into this year’s budget negotiations, our top priorities were protecting our fiscal stability, setting up the state to avoid devastating tax increases on Pennsylvania families and positioning our commonwealth for growth,” Martin said in a statement. “Senate Republicans achieved all these goals in this budget. We still certainly have work to do in the years ahead to maintain fiscal responsibility.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro applauded the passage of the state budget, which includes billions in K-12 education subsidies and increased funding for career and technical education. However, the budget agreement did not address several other issues, including legalizing and regulating skill games and raising the state’s minimum wage.
Businesses in downtown and Midtown were asked what a minimum wage increase would mean for their bottom lines. The one business that did speak on camera said a wage increase is a cost, but one they are willing to pay.
“I enjoy signing checks for the people that are doing work,” said Zach Madar, co-owner of Anna Rose Bakery, on 2nd Street in Harrisburg.
Madar and his wife have co-owned Anna Rose Bakery on Second Street for the last two years. Madar previously worked at Best Buy before owning a bakery.
“I was selling TVs, and now I sell cupcakes; it’s like a complete lifestyle change,” Madar said.
When asked, Madar said that wages make up 60% of his expenses, adding it was no surprise minimum wage was not included in next year’s state budget.
Minimum wage is a hot topic for lawmakers since the last time the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved an increase in 2006. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which is the same in Pennsylvania.
“That’s kind of been on the tip of the tongue of the whole nation for like 20 years now is the $15 an hour, and it’s just never happened,” Madar said.
Madar said his workers already make close to or above $15 an hour, including tips.
“I very much support minimum wage that’s higher than $7.25. I mean, I couldn’t imagine even paying our tipped cashiers that low,” Madar said.
In his address last night, Shapiro briefly mentioned minimum wage.
“The progress that we made over the last few years, we stayed at the table to ensure that the foundation we built only got stronger,” Shapiro said. “Now, look, there’s a lot of work that is ahead, and there’s a whole lot more that I want to do that I’m going to do, like raising the minimum wage.”
Republican lawmakers said the budget is responsible. In a statement, Sen. Scott Martin, (R), 13th District, highlighted key areas Senate Republicans focused on in budget discussions.
“Going into this year’s budget negotiations, our top priorities were protecting our fiscal stability, setting up the state to avoid devastating tax increases on Pennsylvania families and positioning our commonwealth for growth,” Martin said in a statement. “Senate Republicans achieved all these goals in this budget. We still certainly have work to do in the years ahead to maintain fiscal responsibility.”