(The following is a press release from the office of
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.)
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) is drafting legislation that would
gradually raise the federally-mandated minimum wage to $15 per hour over a five
to 14-year period. The Fair Wage Act would provide relief for American
families through the implementation of a regional-economy based minimum wage
with an upward adjustment every three years after reaching the $15 benchmark
minimum. The bill also establishes a sub-minimum for workers 18 years of age
and under that is two thirds of a region’s minimum wage at any given
point.
“For 10 years, American workers have been disadvantaged by a stagnant minimum wage that today is woefully too low in any region of the country,” said Fitzpatrick. “The cost of living is vastly different among various regions throughout the United States. In order to ensure Americans truly receive fair wages, the minimum wage must be reflective of where they work, live, and pay taxes.”
Fitzpatrick has long championed an enhanced federal minimum wage to ensure American workers receive fair compensation that adjusts based upon cost of living fluctuations in a given region. While he intends to support H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, when it comes up for a vote in the House, Fitzpatrick believes there is a fairer, more realistic alternative to a uniform, across-the-board wage increase that also keeps in mind the concerns of small businesses.
“While I will reluctantly vote for the one-size-fits-all minimum wage increase, it is yet another politically motivated messaging bill that has no chance of enactment and was not properly designed to provide sustainability for workers or businesses,” said Fitzpatrick. “My Fair Wage Act will acknowledge cost-of-living disparities in regions across the United States and will take a holistic approach to enhancing the minimum wage in the United States.”
In December, Fitzpatrick authored an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer in which he advocated for a fairer living wage for middle class families using the Regional Price Parity Score (RPP), calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
See also:
Congressman Fitzpatrick Votes To Condemn President’s Controversial Tweets
Despite Trump Backing, Comfort Steps Aside In Favor Of Tabas As Pennsylvania GOP Chairman
Fitzpatrick Honored By Sandy Hook Promise For Dedication To Gun Violence Prevention
Gov. Wolf to Issue $90M In Bonds For New Voting Machines Without Legislative Action
Pennsylvania Senate Republicans Threaten To Strip Lt. Gov. Fetterman Of His Powers
