Montgomery officials weigh wage push after Democratic wins

Montgomery County Democrats are calling for wage and transit legislation after their party’s state election gains, Main Line Media News first reported.

Democrats are preparing to hold the governor’s office and both legislative chambers. Gov. Josh Shapiro outlined wage, transit and housing priorities at a Nov. 4 news conference, according to Spotlight PA.

Montgomery County has already set a higher wage for its own workforce. The county’s official account of its wage policy reports a $20.52 hourly minimum for county employees. That employment policy is distinct from the statewide minimum.

Two different wage schedules

A bill passed by the state House in March would phase in an increase over several years. The House Democratic Caucus said House Bill 2189 would raise the hourly rate to $11 in 2027, $13 in 2028 and $15 in 2029.

The caucus’s March 24 release said annual cost-of-living adjustments would follow. The bill would also allow counties to reach $15 sooner and set tipped workers’ minimum at 60% of the statewide rate, according to the caucus. The release described a bill moving to the Senate, rather than an enacted wage increase.

Shapiro’s earlier proposal used a faster timetable. His Feb. 3 budget plan called for $15 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The same plan proposed directing an additional share of sales-tax revenue toward recurring mass-transit funding.

Those documents describe different approaches to issues raised after the election. They do not establish an agreed post-election wage schedule or transit package.

County officials differ on one-party control

State Rep. Greg Scott said Democrats must produce tangible results, Main Line Media News reported. Republican County Commissioner Tom DiBello opposed one-party control while expecting the commissioners’ bipartisan working relationship to continue, the outlet reported.

Spotlight PA also reported disagreement among Democrats over policy details, including how high to set the wage. The article described negotiations ahead, rather than a settled legislative package.