HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has again approved legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage, advancing a measure long backed by Gov. Josh Shapiro but repeatedly stalled in the Senate.

The House on Tuesday passed House Bill 2189 following Shapiro’s call in his 2026-27 budget address to increase the wage to $15 per hour. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009.

The bill marks the third time the House has approved minimum wage legislation in recent years. Previous efforts have not been taken up in the Senate.

In a statement, Shapiro urged Senate lawmakers to act, saying the current wage has not kept pace with the cost of living and leaves many workers struggling to meet basic expenses.

State officials estimate more than 500,000 Pennsylvanians earn less than $15 an hour. They also note the purchasing power of the current minimum wage has declined by more than 30% since it was last increased.

Supporters of the measure say raising the minimum wage would increase consumer spending, reduce employee turnover and improve financial stability for workers. They also argue higher wages could reduce reliance on public assistance programs and generate additional state revenue.

Opponents have previously raised concerns about the potential impact on businesses, particularly small employers.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.