Pennsylvania small business owners are urging lawmakers to reconsider House Bill 2189, which would set a $15 minimum wage by 2029 and tie future increases to inflation, according to a March 23 statement from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Pennsylvania Team. The organization recently sent a memo to legislators outlining their concerns about the bill’s potential impact on local businesses.
The debate over mandated wage increases is significant for many small businesses that say they are already facing economic uncertainty and rising costs. Supporters of HB 2189 argue it would help workers keep up with the cost of living, but opponents warn it could lead to job losses and reduced hours for employees.
“Small employers are already increasing wages despite their concerns about current and future economic conditions and increased employer costs,” said Greg Moreland, NFIB Pennsylvania State Director. “A government-imposed increase in labor costs is not needed. If passed, small businesses will be the ones to suffer job losses and owners will be forced to reduce their workers’ hours. We strongly urge lawmakers to reject HB 2189 and refrain from adding increased costs and mandates on Main Street.”
According to NFIB, its own study conducted in 2023 projected that if similar legislation were enacted, Pennsylvania could lose more than 101,000 jobs overall—nearly 57,000 of those from small businesses specifically.
As state legislators continue discussions on HB 2189, business groups like NFIB plan to keep voicing their opposition while policymakers weigh both the benefits for workers and potential challenges for employers.
