The state’s minimum wage would rise to $15 by 2025 under a plan unveiled by Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday, despite the fact that past proposals have garnered little to no traction in the General Assembly.

Surrounded by a dozen Democratic lawmakers and a handful of hourly employees who would benefit from the changes, Wolf said it was time Pennsylvania joined neighboring states including Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey in boosting the minimum wage.

It was an opportunity too good to pass up.

As House Democratic leadership elections approached November 13, two of the top positions, Whip and Appropriations Chair, sat open due to retirements of their Western Pennsylvania holders. Meanwhile, Caucus Chair also was vacant as its holder maneuvered for a higher position.

Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) was joined by Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) and Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) to share their excitement for House Bill 2557 passage by the Senate. 

This bill updates the way municipalities exit Act 47 and enables the city of Harrisburg to continue to balance its budget. Kim stated that the governor has agreed to sign the bill and she is hoping to see it on his desk by the end of this week or next week. 

Harrisburg could have another five years of extra taxing authority under a bill advanced out of committee Tuesday.

Worked out over a working weekend, HB 2557 from Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) was amended to put Harrisburg under an Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, much like the one that managed Pittsburgh, for the next five years.

Lobbyists were banned, diversity reinforced and a three-year registration minimum added to the Senate’s prime redistricting bill Monday as it was prepared for a final vote by lawmakers.

The bill, SB 22, would set up a redistricting commission made up of eleven citizens who apply to the Department of State, are vetted, and then picked by majority and minority legislative leaders to draw Pennsylvania’s congressional and state legislative maps.