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MyChesCo: Governor Wolf, Legislators and Business Owners Call for Minimum Wage Increase

MyChesCo, May 28, 2021

...The governor was joined for a press conference in Lancaster by Rep. Patty Kim, prime sponsor of HB 345 to raise the minimum wage, and local business owners Peter Barber, President, CEO and Co-owner of Two Dudes Painting Company and Jennie Groff, CEO and Co-owner of Stroopies, Inc. ...

“We’ve been in business for almost 35 years, and fair pay has been central to our success,” said Peter Barber, CEO of Two Dudes Painting Company in Lancaster, a full service painting company with more than 65 employees. “Our turnover is low...

Times Leader: Gov. Wolf, legislators, business owners call for minimum wage increase

By William O'Boyle
Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, May 27, 2021. Also Yahoo, Marietta Journal, others

On Wednesday, Wolf was joined by legislators, business owners and advocates to call on the General Assembly to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $12 an hour with a path to $15.

The governor was joined for a press conference in Lancaster by Rep. Patty Kim, prime sponsor of HB 345 to raise the minimum wage, and local business owners Peter Barber, President, CEO and Co-owner of Two Dudes Painting Company and Jennie Groff, CEO and Co-owner of Stroopies, Inc.

USA Today Network PA State Capital Bureau: Pa. business owners join Wolf in push to raise 'embarrassingly low' minimum wage to $15

By Candy Woodall and J.D. Prose
USA Today Network's Pennsylvania State Capital Bureau, May 27, 2021. Also GoErie, others

Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday was joined by business owners and Democratic lawmakers in his latest push for a higher minimum wage in Pennsylvania. ...

Peter Barber, CEO and co-owner of Two Dudes Painting Company in Lancaster, said he pays a starting wage $14 an hour. After they've worked there for 90 days, he pays them $15 an hour. His company has about 65 employees. 

"I believe raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 will...

LancasterOnline: Wolf visits Lancaster to push minimum wage increase, while local companies say they're far past it

By Gillian McGoldrick
LNP / LancasterOnline, May 26, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf visited Lancaster city Wednesday morning to repeat his longstanding call to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage....

Peter Barber, the president and CEO of Two Dudes Painting Co., said providing “livable wages” to his workers is a crucial part of recruitment and retention, and as a result the company is not struggling to fill open positions.

WFMZ: Gov. Wolf pushes to increase minimum wage

By Ali Reid
WFMZ-TV 69 News, May 26, 2021

Governor Wolf is calling for an increase in Pennsylvania's minimum wage. ...

Many local business owners say they're on board, as Wolf says their pay increases are setting the standard for the future.

"Fair pay and benefits have been essential to our success," noted Peter Barber, president of the Two Dudes Painting Co. "Our turnover is low, which saves us a considerable money and time."

ABC 27 News: Governor Wolf calls on General Assembly for raise in minimum wage

By Lauren Rude
ABC 27 News Harrisburg, May 26, 2021. Also WKBN (Ohio).

Governor Tom Wolf joined legislators, business owners and advocates to call on the General Assembly to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to $12 an hour with a path to $15. ...

“We’ve been in business for almost 35 years, and fair pay has been central to our success,” Peter Barber, CEO of Two Dudes Painting Company in Lancaster, said.

YourErie.com: Gov. Wolf calls for minimum wage increase

By WJET / WFXP / YourErie.com, May 26, 2021

Governor Wolf today called on the General Assembly to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $12 an hour, with a path to $15. ...

The governor was joined today by Rep. Patty Kim, prime sponsor of HB 345 to raise the minimum wage, and local business owners Peter Barber, President, CEO and Co-owner of Two Dudes Painting Company and Jennie Groff, CEO and Co-owner of Stroopies, Inc. ...

“We’ve been in business for almost 35 years, and fair pay has been central to our success,” said Peter...

Delaware State News: Supporters push for $15 minimum wage in Delaware

By Craig Anderson
Delaware State News, May 19, 2021

With employees making a $15 hourly wage, there’s less staff turnover and retraining needed.

That’s according to Canalside Inn owner Kristen Deptula, who currently pays five workers what some want to see as Delaware’s minimum wage by 2025.

Also, the Rehoboth Beach business owner believes higher paid employees are more likely to spend money.

“They’re able to have a little flexibility with their budget and can go out and have some fun while putting money back into the economy,” she said on Tuesday.

“And they’re happier...

Restaurant Hospitality: Five Things

By Lisa Jennings, Holly Petre
Restaurant Hospitality, May 04, 2021

... #5. Virginia’s first minimum wage increase towards $12 an hour went into effect May 1

On May 1, the first in a series of wage increases voted on by the state legislature in 2020 went into effect for the state of Virginia. For the first time in 10 years, workers in Virginia saw the federally mandated $7.25 an hour minimum wage increase to $9.50 an hour. ...

“We advocated for raising Virginia’s minimum wage, which was long stuck at $7.25 an hour, and look forward to the economic boost from this increase,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage.