City Councilman At-Large W. Wilson Goode, Jr. will introduce an Economic Opportunity Legislative Package, consisting of three new bills, at City Council’s first stated meeting after being sworn-in on January 7.

The first bill is a New Minimum Wage and Benefits Bill that would require City-supported employers to pay at least 150% of the federal minimum wage to its employees as of July 2009, while also being required to offer full-time employees the same health benefits that are provided to other full-time employees. Under Goode’s 2005 landmark living wage legislation, City-supported employers must now pay at least 150% of the state minimum wage but there is no standard set for minimum benefits. In July of 2009, the federal minimum wage is set to exceed the state minimum wage - and the new legislation would require covered employees in Philadelphia to be paid at least $10.88 per hour, with comparable health benefits for full-time employees.