HARRISBURG, PA — Legislation introduced by State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, to tackle wage competitiveness for state government employees has taken a key step forward. House Resolution 23, which directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the feasibility of location-based pay, was approved by the House State Government Committee.
The resolution seeks to investigate how state employee wages can better reflect regional cost-of-living differences, particularly in areas like southeastern Pennsylvania, where expenses are significantly higher than other parts of the Commonwealth. Under the current system, wages for state employees do not account for these variations, a reality Pielli argues is harming recruitment and retention efforts.
“Cost-of-living varies considerably in Pennsylvania, with southeastern Pennsylvania being particularly more expensive than the rest of the state,” said Pielli. “However, wages for state government employees do not factor in these local differences. As a result, state agencies struggle with the hiring and retention of employees in regions with a higher cost-of-living, such as southeastern Pennsylvania.”
Pielli pointed to the example of PennDOT road crews, where stagnant wages have resulted in personnel shortages. “State workers like our PennDOT road crews can’t afford to live in the region with the wages we are paying. This has resulted in a significant decline of road crew personnel leaving our state roads in serious disrepair,” Pielli noted.
By examining the viability of location-based pay, House Resolution 23 aims to help the state attract and retain skilled employees in areas where the costs of housing and living present a significant barrier. Pielli emphasized the broader implications for public services, arguing competitive wages are crucial for ensuring essential operations are adequately staffed.
The resolution’s passage represents a preliminary step toward addressing these disparities. If implemented, its findings could pave the way for significant wage reforms across Pennsylvania, helping the state government better compete with private sector employment opportunities in high-cost areas.
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