But some of us like myself are more concerned about the basis financial well-being of the regular workers in Philadelphia and PA in general. Federal and/or State elected Officials need to do better for the well-being of the regular worker.
I have been living in Philadelphia starting 20 years this year. And I cannot ever remember in recent years that the minimum wage was changed - increased.
A little checking online revealed that it changed in 2009 to US$7.25 per hour from US$5.15 (https://www.resourcefulcompliance.com/pennsylvania). Another report has it going up in 2025 to US$13.00 per hour (https://www.paytimepayroll.com/news-articles/pennsylvania-minimum-wage-everything-you-need-to-know). But the State of CA has already given $16.00 per hour for their minimum wage as of January 2024 (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm).
So PA and hence Philadelphia is still far behind. From 2009 to 2025 is a long time. And with all those price increases (i.e. Inflation) while the pay levels remaining the same or with "tiny" increases, it's no wonder so amny people need to work 2 or more jobs or starve.
PA is a "swing" Federal State. But Philadelphia is a strong "bue" City for a very long time now. And it does have some amount of influence on what happens in the State in general. Plus the last 2 Govenors of PA have been "blue" Party Governors. So it's hard to imagine why it has taken so long for PA to treat it's workers better with better minimum wage, and also help to keep prices "in check" to avoid excessive price increases, etc.
This year is General Election year in the U.S.A., and anything can happen in PA. The State voted "blue" in the last Presidential Election, and many (especially in Philadelphia) are hoping the State in general will vote "blue' again.
But some of us like myself are more concerned about the basis financial well-being of the "regular" workers in Philadelphia and PA in general. Federal and/or State elected "Officials" need to do better for the well-being of the "regular" worker. PA is too far behind other States when it comes to treating it's workers better. We know "inflation" as some call it, will not just stop to please the worker. But when will the need to work 2-3 jobs to survive stop? And if the munimum wage goes up a "little" but the prices of basic goods and serviced goes up much higher and faster, then the "regular" worker will forever be a the loser.
PA and Philadelphia can do better. We need that kind of "Governance" that shows sincere concern and interest for the "regular" workers well-being and quality of life - for the better, and just just for a short time.
