Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

July 2, 2025

Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland)
Minimum Wage Bill to Cause More Harm Than Good
Last week, I wrote my column to commemorate the important work of the Penn-Franklin News, which was slated to close its doors and print its final edition. I am happy to have learned that this is no longer the case as a purchase occurred and there is a new owner. Accordingly, I am excited that I have been asked to continue submitting this weekly column.

One of my top priorities has been to pursue legislation that nurtures a strong business environment. We must recognize how quickly our business world can change when it is free from unnecessary interference and this is why I voted against a recent bill that proposes to increase the state’s minimum wage.

The legislation, House Bill 1549, though well intended, creates a complicated, fractured and inconsistent, government-mandated minimum wage system across Pennsylvania.

On the premise that the cost of living can differ between different counties, the proposal creates a minimum wage of $10 to $15 an hour, based on where the employer is located. For Westmoreland County, considered a county of the third class, the new minimum wage would be $12 per hour and would increase to $15 by 2028. In counties considered to be counties of the fourth through eighth classes, the new minimum wage would be $10 per hour and would increase to $12 by 2028.

While speaking with both large and small employers throughout the 55th Legislative District, one of the biggest factors to deter a business from expanding is a lack of predictability and easy-to-understand regulations. This proposal would limit a business to only expand in a county where they are already located, so as not to create unfair disparities within its workforce.

The bill also does not account for businesses already situated in multiple counties. Will those working in one part of a factory be subject to one wage and others in another part of the same factory be subject to another wage?

Like many of my peers, on both sides of the aisle, I want every Pennsylvanian to have access to a livable wage. But I also know that the minimum wage was never intended to be a living wage. In fact, less than 1% of Pennsylvania’s workforce is paid the minimum wage.

We must also be aware of unintended consequences. An increase to the minimum wage is likely to spike retail costs of just about every product. In a very short time, employees earning the new minimum wage will have the same buying power as they did before the minimum wage was increased.

Instead of increasing the wage to a new minimum by a government mandate, I am more partial to positioning our businesses for expansion by responsibly eliminating the bureaucratic barriers that limit them, such as unnecessary regulations and permit hold-ups in state departments.

Businesses will grow and need more employees, creating competition for talented staff members.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Community Fair Event Later This Month - I want to remind you of my Community Health, Wellness and Career Fair scheduled for Friday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Knead Community Café, located at 1011 Barnes St. in New Kensington. This is a free event to make it easy for residents throughout the 55th District to meet the organizations that serve our neighborhoods! Food will be available for purchase. Any organizations seeking to participate as an exhibitor should contact my New Kensington district office at 724-472-4102.

Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs - Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more. As fairs are scheduled throughout Pennsylvania, you can access the 2025 PA Fair Guide on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website, www.pa.gov/agencies/pda.

Locally, be sure to visit the Derry Township Agricultural Fair, which runs from Friday, July 13, to Saturday, July 19. More information can be found at www.derrytwpagfair.com. A few weeks later, the Westmoreland Fair will be held from Friday, Aug. 15, to Saturday, Aug. 23. More information can be found at www.westmorelandfair.com.

PennDOT Seeking Workers for Winter Maintenance Program - While we are still feeling the summer heat, PennDOT is preparing for cooler temperatures by gearing up for its winter maintenance program.

Positions available may include CDL equipment operators, mechanics, dispatchers, tradesman helpers and semi-skilled laborers. The positions pay between $17.38 per hour to $28.37 per hour. The winter maintenance program runs from September through April.

Anyone wishing to apply should visit www.employment.pa.gov and go to the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program posting.

Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper