Two hundred and fifty years ago, Americans fought for freedom. Today, millions of Pennsylvanians are fighting just to get by.
As our nation marks its 250th birthday, many families are in distress with rising costs and low pay. The minimum wage hasn’t been increased in in Pennsylvania in 17 years. Yet, a single adult in Pennsylvania needs to earn $23 an hour just to cover the basics.
At the same time, protections of everyday people are collapsing. Labor union membership to protect Pennsylvania workers has fallen to its lowest level at 11%. Healthcare programs are shrinking, so …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
You can also purchase this individual item for $1.50
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Two hundred and fifty years ago, Americans fought for freedom. Today, millions of Pennsylvanians are fighting just to get by.
As our nation marks its 250th birthday, many families are in distress with rising costs and low pay. The minimum wage hasn’t been increased in in Pennsylvania in 17 years. Yet, a single adult in Pennsylvania needs to earn $23 an hour just to cover the basics.
At the same time, protections of everyday people are collapsing. Labor union membership to protect Pennsylvania workers has fallen to its lowest level at 11%. Healthcare programs are shrinking, so thousands have dropped high-cost healthcare. The Iran war spiked gas and price gouging with no consumer protections. Retirees are returning to work as pensions die.
These challenges raise a fundamental question: What kind of freedom exists without basic economic security?
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt realized political freedom alone was not enough, and called for a second bill of rights, one based on economic freedom. In 2026, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, I propose the Pennsylvania Economic Bill of Rights.
1. The Right to a Family-Sustaining Job
2. The Right to Organize for Better Living and Working Conditions
3. The Right to Safe, Secure and Affordable Housing
4. The Right to High-Quality, Accessible Healthcare
5. The Right to High-Quality Public Education
6. The Right to Universal Digital and Physical Connectivity
7. The Right to Family Support and Care
8. The Right to a Clean Environment and Affordable Energy
9. The Right to a Secure Retirement
10. The Right to Fair Taxes and an Equitable Tax System
Every Pennsylvanian deserves the chance to be paid fairly for their work, access quality healthcare, and retire with dignity. As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, let us be reminded that the fight for our economic freedom is not yet over.
Sen. Haywood’s 4th District includes the Philadelphia neighborhoods of Cedarbrook, Chestnut Hill, East Germantown, East Mt. Airy, Germantown, Logan, Ogontz, West Mt. Airy and West Oak Lane, and in Montgomery County, Abington Township, Cheltenham Township, Jenkintown, Rockledge and Springfield Township.
