28/22 NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — 28/22 News sat down with Governor Josh Shapiro to talk about key issues facing Pennsylvania, including raising the minimum wage and the ongoing debate over legalizing recreational marijuana.
Governor Shapiro is entering the second half of his term in office and says his main focus continues to be improving the lives of residents of the Commonwealth.
Governor Shapiro told 28/22 News he is working on his budget plan, which he will present to state lawmakers and the public on February 4.
Mehalshick asked him about a wide variety of issues facing the Keystone State.
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Shapiro says one of the hot-button issues that must be addressed by state lawmakers is raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage.
"One issue that I have been pushing for the last two years, which we've gotten through the House, but unable to get through the Senate, is raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage. We're still stuck at $7.25 an hour. Every single state around us has a higher wage rate that impacts so many different jobs in Pennsylvania, even if you're not making minimum wage, we see wages overall depressed because how basically low the floor is," Shapiro explained.
Another controversial issue the governor says he will continue to push for: The legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
"First off, I think it's an issue of freedom. If people, if adults want to use cannabis in a responsible manner, they should have the ability to do that. I also think it makes common sense from an economic perspective. Consider this: Every single one of our neighbors, Andy, particularly, if you're in your viewing area in New York, and New Jersey, have, with the exception of West Virginia, you can go across the border in Maryland, in New Jersey, and go to those stores that are near the border of Pennsylvania, About 60% of their total sales are from people from Pennsylvania," Shapiro continued.
Shapiro argues that the revenue from a properly regulated and taxed industry can be spent to help fund services in Pennsylvania.
Mehalshick asked Shapiro about the ongoing concerns about inflation in the commonwealth, a topic that came up over and over again during the recent presidential campaign.
"I've been focused like a laser beam as governor on reducing costs and, while there's a lot of rhetoric during Presidential campaigns about it, instead of just making noise, we went to work and we cut taxes and put dollars back in people's pockets," Shapiro said.
Opponents of legalizing marijuana and raising the state's minimum wage say they have strong arguments against both ideas and say these are not "Cut and dry" issues, but deserve further debate and discussion.
You can watch the full interview with Governor Shapiro in the video player below:
