At the start of this year, nearly two dozen states raised their minimum wage, providing workers with a pay increase at a time when millions of Americans are struggling to cover the costs of their basic necessities.

In addition to 22 states that are raising the minimum wage, there are 66 cities and counties also raising the minimum wage at some point in 2026, according to a recent report from the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy organization for workers.

Pennsylvania is not among the states with a minimum wage increase coming for workers. No, here in Pennsylvania, we’re stuck in 2009. That’s the year that Pennsylvania raised its minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, and the minimum wage has remained at that level ever since.

Needless to say, $7.25 doesn’t go as far as it used to.

There have been several attempts since 2009 to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, but each time the effort has resulted in no progress.

2026 should finally be the year that Pennsylvania lawmakers act on this issue.

A minimum wage bill recently passed the State House and will now move on the Pennsylvania Senate. Pennsylvania House Bill 1549 proposes an increase of the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

State Sen. Dan Laughlin plans to reintroduce legislation that will update the outdated minimum wage for Pennsylvanians. This legislation would allow for a “measured, phased-in approach” to increasing the minimum wage over time. This will give employers time to plan and will give workers incremental increases.

More than one thing can be true at the same time.

It’s absolutely true that few adults are actually working at jobs that pay the minimum wage.

It’s also true that market forces have pushed wages higher, even without an increase in the state’s minimum wage.

But it’s also true that Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is woefully inadequate. It is lower—and in some cases, much lower—than the minimum wage of all surrounding states—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

A statewide increase in the minimum wage is long overdue.