Dear Friends,
The last couple of months have been difficult ones nationally and in Pennsylvania if you care about policies that benefit working families.
At the national level, despite efforts by KRC and many labor, community, and environmental stakeholders, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a reconciliation bill that benefits only a thin slice of the richest Americans. Working and low-income families will see their incomes decline because of the bill.
At the state level, KRC and its partners continue to make the factual case for a higher Pennsylvania minimum wage and the Pennsylvania legislature continues to fail to act.
The vast majority of Americans, including many Republicans, opposed reconciliation and support higher minimum wages. It’s our job to continue providing the hard numbers on the impact of policy decisions and to educate working families about who is in their corner and who isn’t.
Thanks for your support, which enables us to keep doing our job.
Stephen Herzenberg
Executive Director
Blogs and Statements:
The Importance of Being Earnest Honest (August 7th, 2025)
Federal data is too important to be manipulated for political gain. Now, that’s what the current administration is doing. When Americans can’t trust our own data, the American Dream is jeopardized and businesses, workers, and policymakers are put at a distinct disadvantage.
STATEMENT: Keystone Research Center Statement on President Trump’s Firing of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 5th, 2025)
Trump just fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All because he didn’t like the jobs numbers. When you start firing the people who report the facts, it’s not spin anymore. It’s propaganda.
STATEMENT: Weak Jobs Report Could Indicate Coming Recession (August 1st, 2025)
Today’s U.S. jobs report for July reveals a deeply concerning trend that demands urgent attention. With just 73,000 jobs added nationally in July and dramatic downward revisions of 258,000 jobs for May and June, we could be seeing the early signs of a recession. These numbers make it clear that now is precisely the wrong time to cut back on federal investments in infrastructure, climate, and innovation that create jobs and economic opportunity across our Commonwealth.
Keystone Research Center Statement on the June 2025 PA Jobs Report (July 18, 2025)
In our response to the June 2025 jobs data, we note that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate edged up to 4.0%, even as total nonfarm employment reached a record high for the 14th consecutive month. Job gains were strongest in education, health services, and leisure and hospitality, which added 4,200 positions in June. While the state’s overall job growth remains robust, we emphasize the need for policies that support continued labor force participation and address rising unemployment.
Who Benefits? The Demographic Impact of a Higher Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania (July 17, 2025)
Our report finds that raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour would benefit 865,600 workers across the state. The majority of these workers are women (61%), and more than one-third are people of color. Our findings show especially large impacts for single parents, healthcare workers, and retail employees—demonstrating how a higher minimum wage would promote equity and economic stability for working families.
Press Release: PA Minimum Wage Increase Would Benefit over 865,000 Workers (July 17, 2025)
In this release, we share new findings that a $15 minimum wage would boost earnings for over 865,000 Pennsylvania workers. We provide county-level fact sheets and maps to show how workers in every region would benefit. Our statement urges lawmakers to act on this long-overdue reform, particularly as low-wage workers continue to fall behind while elected officials receive regular cost-of-living increases.
The Big Ugly Truth behind President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” (July 17, 2025)
In this blog post, we unpack the harmful consequences buried in President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Our analysis shows that the legislation would gut labor protections, scale back climate investments, and undermine policies designed to promote equity. We caution that the bill could reverse hard-won gains from the Inflation Reduction Act and other recent laws, and we call for a closer look at its long-term implications.
Pushing the Borders or Crossing the Line? (June 26, 2025)
In this blog, we examine how Pennsylvania border counties are falling behind neighboring states like New York and New Jersey, where stronger wage policies are in place. Our analysis shows that higher minimum wages in surrounding states are helping to drive faster job and wage growth. We argue that Pennsylvania’s outdated wage floor is putting our border communities at a competitive disadvantage.
Skilled Union Crafts – The Key to High Performance Construction Today (June 20, 2025)
In this memo, we argue that union apprenticeship programs are a powerful alternative to traditional college pathways and a key driver of high-quality construction. Our research shows that skilled union workers deliver better project results, higher safety standards, and strong wages. We call for expanded public and private investment in these programs to meet growing workforce needs and raise industry standards.
New Analysis of Federal Clean Energy Investments Across Pennsylvania (June 17, 2025)
Our analysis shows that recent federal clean energy investments are already paying off across Pennsylvania. More than $267 million in home energy credits have benefited over 158,000 residents, while school solar grants and manufacturing projects are generating thousands of good jobs. We warn that proposed Senate cuts could reverse these gains, drive up electricity costs, and slow down job growth in communities that are just beginning to benefit.
KRC in the Press
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Cut 42,000 Jobs in Pennsylvania, Analysis Says
The Philadelphia Inquirer – July 3, 2025
We warn that Trump’s proposed budget would cut clean energy, education, and healthcare investments, eliminating over 40,000 jobs across Pennsylvania. KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg highlights the threat to communities now benefiting from federal clean energy and manufacturing funding.
Senate Labor and Industry Committee Unanimously Passes Legislation to Protect Construction Workers from Misclassification
PASenate.com – June 10, 2025
KRC provided data showing misclassification costs Pennsylvania over $100 million annually. KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg supports the bill to ensure fair pay and protections for construction workers.
Fetterman Was a ‘Hell No’ Vote on Trump’s Budget Bill; McCormick Proud to Back It
PennLive – July 1, 2025
KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg warns that Trump’s budget bill would reverse clean energy job growth and harm working families. We at Keystone Research Center emphasize that these cuts threaten the foundation of Pennsylvania’s economic progress.
Pa. House Democrats are trying to close the Delaware loophole by coupling the proposal with no tax on tips and overtime
The Philadelphia Inquirer – June 30, 2025
Our research shows 73% of major corporations avoid state taxes through the Delaware loophole. We support combined reporting to ensure corporations contribute their fair share.
WV Senators Back GOP Megabill Expected to Make Deep Social Safety, Energy Cuts
Charleston Gazette-Mail – June 30, 2025
We caution that GOP budget cuts and rollbacks of green energy tax credits would undermine clean energy progress and regional recovery across Appalachia. KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg notes these rollbacks would hit working families hardest.
Key Shapiro Budget Measure on Corporate Taxes Advances in House, Faces Senate GOP Opposition
PennLive – June 24, 2025
KRC supports Gov. Shapiro’s push to close the Delaware loophole, which we’ve shown allows most large corporations to avoid state taxes. Our research backs combined reporting to restore fairness to the tax code.
Will Trump’s Budget Plan Cut the Power on Pennsylvania’s Clean Energy Future?
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – June 23, 2025
Eliminating clean energy tax credits would stall renewable projects and kill jobs. KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg stresses Pennsylvania risks falling behind if these cuts pass.
Could Congress’ Big Budget Bill Derail PA’s Clean Energy Progress?
Public News Service – June 18, 2025
“One Big Beautiful Bill” risks undoing the major clean energy gains and increase electric costs in Pennsylvania, as well as costing thousands of Pennsylvanian jobs.