KEYSTONE RESEARCH CENTER ESTIMATES NUMBER OF WORKERS IN EACH PA COUNTY WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM A MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

Greatest Number of Workers Would Benefit in Most Populous Urban Counties

Larger Share of Workers Would Benefit in Rural Counties in Which Many Legislators Oppose an Increase

Harrisburg – The Keystone Research Center today released estimates of
the number of workers in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties who would
benefit from a rise in the state’s minimum wage.

“The largest number of workers who will benefit from a minimum wage
hike live in densely populated urban counties,” said Mark Price, a
labor economist at KRC. “But an even greater share of workers will
benefit in low-wage rural counties. The least benefit would be felt in
high-wage suburban counties like Chester and Montgomery counties
outside Philadelphia.”

The study, Where Low-Wage Pennsylvania Workers Live, is in part a
response to a question raised by Senate Majority Leader David
Brightbill of Lebanon County on the floor of the Senate before
Thanksgiving. Describing conversations about the minimum wage in his
district, Brightbill stated: “. . . I ask the question, ‘well do you
know anybody that is making minimum wage?’ And nobody does.’”

The Keystone study answers by estimating that some 860,000 workers –
those now earning the minimum wage or close to it -- would benefit
either directly or indirectly from raising the state’s minimum wage.

-- In 29 rural counties, one in four or more workers would benefit
directly or indirectly from a minimum wage increase.

-- In each of Pennsylvania’s two most populous counties, Allegheny and Philadelphia, about 50,000 workers would benefit directly and another roughly 35,000 workers would benefit indirectly.

It is important, Price said, to put the number of Pennsylvanians who
would benefit from a minimum wage rise in proper context.

“The number of workers who would benefit from a minimum wage increase
is larger than the number of Pennsylvanians employed in the entire
manufacturing sector -- 675,600 in October 2005 – in professional and
business services (651,800) and in government (756,200).”

While only a few workers earn precisely the minimum wage, many more
workers would benefit from an increase to $7.15. “Clearly, the view
that raising the minimum wage should be a low priority because only a
few workers would benefit does not fit the facts,” Price concluded.
“The benefits will go directly to those who need it most: the lowest
paid workers in rural and urban areas of the commonwealth.”

Many legislators who oppose a minimum wage increase live in rural areas
in which the highest share of workers stand to benefit.

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