web1_TTL011619HS-Wrestling_1.jpg

H.S. wrestling notebook: Josh Bonomo, youthful Lake-Lehman squad ready for regionals

web1_122334086-d54f977d145148e6839050f28c8cf355.jpg

Mother and adult daughter charged with killing 5 relatives in Bucks County

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on Tuesday announced his co-sponsorship of legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024 and eliminate sub-minimum wages for young workers and workers with disabilities.</p><p>&#8220;For far too long, working families have gotten the short end of the stick,&#8221; Casey in a news release. &#8220;I&#8217;m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to ensure economic stability for all working Americans by raising wages and eliminating loopholes that target young workers and individuals with disabilities.&#8221;</p><p>Casey, D-Scranton, said he has urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to schedule a vote on the legislation &#8220;so that we can start on the path to an America that works for all individuals, not just the super-wealthy and special interests.&#8221;</p><p>The Associated Press reported that the bill is backed by 30 fellow Democrats. It is written by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and backed by five other Democratic senators who, like the politically independent Sanders, are seeking the party&#8217;s nomination to run for president.</p><p>In the Democrat-controlled U.S. House, similar legislation is sponsored by 198 Democrats, including eight of nine Pennsylvania Democrats, the AP says.</p><p>Pennsylvania is one of 20 states that remain at the $7.25 minimum. Gov. Tom Wolf recently introduced similar legislation for a $15 minimum, although it faces long odds in the state&#8217;s Republican-controlled Legislature.</p><p>The federal Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:</p><p>&#8226; Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next six years.</p><p>&#8226; Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not again erode over time.</p><p>&#8226; Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum by repealing the rarely used sub-minimum wage for youth workers.</p><p>&#8226; End sub-minimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities.</p><p>Casey said the bill is endorsed by 300-plus groups. That includes AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, UAW and the United Steelworkers.</p><p>Anyone currently working for minimum wage who would like to share their story should go to:<a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/minimum-wage-stories" target="_blank"> https://www.casey.senate.gov/minimum-wage-stories</a></p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL081118Casey3.cmyk_-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Casey </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL081118Casey3.cmyk_-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Casey </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Sen. Casey backs $15 minimum wage by 2024