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Josh Shapiro on Jobs

 

 


Allow state to fill jobs with laid off federal workers

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to help fill critical vacancies in the Commonwealth workforce with experienced former federal employees. Shapiro noted that the state has nearly 6,000 open positions for which federal workers who are losing their jobs could apply. "Some of them might have been laid off recently, some of them might just be looking for a change right now," Shapiro said. "They can step into one of our vacancies and be ready to serve on day one."
Source: Associated Press/FOX 43 on 2024 Pennsylvania Governor race , Mar 5, 2025

Let's raise the minimum wage to $15/hour

The floor of our wage structure in Pennsylvania is too damn low. It's been stuck at $7.25/hour for the last 16 years. In that time, every single one of our neighboring states has raised the minimum wage for their workers. We've spent so much time passing laws to put more money back in people's pockets by cutting taxes. How about we put more money in people's pockets by raising their wages? Let's raise the minimum wage to $15/hour.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to Pennsylvania legislature , Feb 4, 2025

Treat career paths with the same respect as choosing college

I'm sick and tired of hearing someone say to a high school student, "well… college just might not be right for you. Maybe you should think about becoming a welder." That elitist attitude is wrong--and it hurts our Commonwealth. If you're in the 10th or 11th grade and you're excited about being a welder or a plumber, we should celebrate that. And we should treat that career path with the same level of respect as someone who chooses to go to college.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature , Feb 6, 2024

Minimum wage stuck at $7.25/hr for 15 years--It's a shanda!

I'm not looking to give a handout. I want to give a hand up--and create an opportunity economy that gives everyone a shot. In order to create that kind of opportunity, Pennsylvanians need to earn a decent wage. And come on guys, let's be real, our minimum wage has been stuck at 7.25 an hour for 15 years. It's a shanda! If you don't know what that means, ask the budget secretary later. It's time we raise our minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. Because we're falling behind.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature , Feb 6, 2024

Let's finally raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour

I'll state the obvious--$7.25 an hour is not a livable wage in 2023. Our minimum wage makes it harder for Pennsylvania to compete and hasn't been raised in 14 years. Businesses get this--that's why so many of them aren't sitting back and waiting for us to act--they're raising wages aggressively from department stores to diners. So I'm asking you, respectfully, to work with me to finally--finally--raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to Pennsylvania legislature , Mar 7, 2023

While I'm governor this will never be a right to work state

We also need to protect worker rights. As Attorney General, I took on company executives when they tried to screw over their employees. As Governor, I won't let anyone threaten our workers.

When it comes to dignity and respect--all workers should have the right to organize and bargain collectively. Hear me on this--so long as I am your Governor, Pennsylvania will never be a right to work state.

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to Pennsylvania legislature , Mar 7, 2023

Will veto any bill to make PA a right-to-work state

As Governor, Josh will protect the right to collective bargaining, go after employers who spread anti-union propaganda and interfere with workers' right to join a union, strengthen worker misclassification laws, and veto any legislation that seeks to make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org , May 18, 2022

Other governors on Jobs: Josh Shapiro on other issues:
PA Gubernatorial:
Doug Mastriano
Joe Gale
Melissa Hart
Scott Martin
William McSwain
PA Senatorial:
Bob Casey
Carla Sands
Conor Lamb
Craig Snyder
David McCormick
Everett Stern
Jeff Bartos
John Fetterman
Kathy Barnette
Malcolm Kenyatta
Mehmet Oz
Sean Parnell
Sharif Street
Val Arkoosh
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
    Democratic primary June 10, 2025:
  • Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present)
  • Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present)
  • Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017)
  • Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4.
  • Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022)

    Republican primary June 10, 2025:
  • Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022)
  • Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election
  • Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew

Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4.
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate).
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025)
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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Page last updated: Feb 01, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org