On the heels of the announcement of a minimum wage increase in Michigan, two more states have taken action to raise their minimum wages above the federal rate of $5.15.

In Pennsylvania , House Bill (HB) 257, which would increase the minimum wage in two phases, was approved by the state's House on April 5. It would raise the minimum wage from its current rate of $5.15 to $6.25 on July 1, 2006 and to $7.15 on July 1, 2007 . Governor Edward G. Rendell (D) applauded the House on its approval of the bill, which is headed next for the state Senate.

"The House's action today sets the stage for a long-overdue pay increase for Pennsylvania 's working men and women," Rendell said. "Though I believe a cost-of-living adjustment is an important element of this discussion, it has been eight years since we have raised the minimum wage in this nation and, with this vote, we can be proud to finally begin to pull our minimum wage workers out of poverty."

While the Pennsylvania bill appears likely to be signed by the Governor if it reaches his desk, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III (D) has already signed minimum wage legislation that was sent his way.

On April 4, Manchin signed HB 4023, which will increase the state's minimum wage to $5.85 on July 1, 2006 ; increase it to $6.55 on July 1, 2007 ; and increase it a third time, to $7.25 on July 1, 2008 .

According to West Virginia 's State Journal, the legislation affects only employers with six or more employees and that have an annual gross income $500,000. The law also does not apply to businesses involved in interstate commerce.

The result of these exclusions means that the bill impacts only about 2,000 people out of approximately 20,000 currently making the minimum wage, Larry Matheny, secretary-treasurer of the West Virginia AFL-CIO told the State Journal. .