House Democrats passed a bill raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage for the first time since 2007. House Bill 1500 raises the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour in three stages by Jan. 1, 2026 and then adjusts it to inflation beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Three proposed amendments to the state constitution are headed to the Senate for a vote after passing through the State Government Committee. If passed by both the Senate and House this month, they could go to voters as early as May.
Sen. Dan Laughlin wants to see Pennsylvania join the 25 other states with medical marijuana laws that allow the sale and consumption of edibles by medical marijuana patients.
The majority-GOP state Legislature has not advanced any of the bills that would legalize recreational marijuana, even though studies show most Pennsylvanians support it.