Gov. Tom Wolf recently revealed a letter signed by nearly 40 academics and economists in support of his proposal to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, writes Sarah Anne Hughes for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

“This policy would directly lift the wages of nearly 1.5 million workers when fully implemented,” the letter stated. “Another about 500,000 workers whose wages are just above the new minimum would likely see a wage increase through ‘spillover’ effects.”

The letter was spearheaded by the Keystone Research Center and is signed by academics that are either from the state or currently living in Pennsylvania. Those signing the letter included academics from West Chester University, Bucknell University, Franklin & Marshall College, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Wolf’s most recent budget proposal asks the legislature to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to $12 an hour beginning July 1, then gradually increase it to $15 an hour by 2025.

However, at a recent Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said an increase to $15 is off the table, but a modest increase is possible.

Read more about the proposal in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star here.

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