Pennsylvania lawmakers had an opportunity to raise wages during this year's state budget negotiations.

Instead, they enacted another state budget without addressing Pennsylvania's embarrassingly low $7.25 minimum wage, leaving workers with the same wage floor they have had since 2009 while the cost of housing, groceries, child care, transportation, and health care continues to rise.

That was a missed opportunity, but it is not the end of the fight.

At Pennsylvania Policy Center, we will continue fighting to raise wages here in the Commonwealth. At the same time, we are calling on Congress to act by advancing the Living Wage for All Act.

Companion legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 8555) and the U.S. Senate (S. 4981). Together, these bills would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour, approximately $52,000 per year for someone working full time, while ending outdated subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers. The legislation would also ensure the federal minimum wage keeps pace with the economy so America never goes another generation without an increase.

For Pennsylvania Policy Center, this is about more than one number.

Affordability starts with wages that reflect today's cost of living. People who work full time should be able to afford housing, groceries, transportation, child care, health care, and other basic necessities without struggling to make ends meet.

Pennsylvania is helping lead the national Living Wage for All movement. Now we need Pennsylvania's members of Congress to lead as well.

Take action today.

Tell your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.R. 8555.

Tell Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick to cosponsor S. 4981.

Because one job should be enough.