Progressive Maryland and Advocates Celebrate Victory as Minimum Wage Indexing Bill Passes Unanimously Out of Committee

Residents, Advocates, and Union Leaders Push for Economic Fairness in Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County, MD — On October 7, Progressive Maryland alongside CASA, DC Metro Council, SEIU, and advocates across Prince George’s County, held a press conference outside the Prince George’s County Council building to formally launch a campaign urging County Council members to pass legislation that indexes the minimum wage to inflation. Following the event,  this critical bill passed unanimously out of the County Council’s committee. The event featured key speakers, including bill sponsor Tom Dernoga and co-sponsor Krystal Oriadha,who spoke passionately in support of this important legislation. The livestream of the press event can be found on Progressive Maryland’s Facebook page.

Bill Co-sponsor Krystal Oriadha speaking at the press conference in front of Prince George’s County Council building. 

“These days, so many people making minimum wage are not students. These are people with families, and they’re working two jobs or more and struggling to make ends meet. We all know about inflation—it eats away at people’s ability to live” said Tom Dernoga. “Prince George’s County should’ve moved on this long ago, and this is our opportunity to do it today, get this out of committee, and move forward to a public hearing next month.”

The campaign, a collaborative effort among community organizations, workers, and local leaders, seeks to promote economic fairness, enhance stability for working families, and advance racial equity. By tying wage increases to inflation, the initiative aims to protect workers from wage stagnation and economic shocks, particularly benefiting those in essential roles such as service, hospitality, and retail sectors.

The press conference also featured remarks from fellow co-sponsor Councilmember Krystal Oriadha, who emphasized the disconnect between wages and education: “You can have someone who went out, got a college degree, a master's degree, and they are still making minimum wage in this country. This has nothing to do with effort or a lack of trying or education... the idea that people aren’t trying hard enough is just not the reality.”

The campaign highlights significant benefits of wage indexing, including:

• Economic Fairness: Ensuring wages provide sufficient means for individuals to afford basic needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
• Stability for Working Families: Protecting families from the pressures of inflation and fostering financial security.
• Racial Equity: Bridging the racial wealth gap by uplifting Black and Latino workers who are disproportionately represented in low-wage jobs.

"When a number is fixed, the value of it decreases over time. The $15 I make today is not the same $15 I made yesterday and it’s not going to be the same $15 I make tomorrow" said Progressive Maryland Leader Ryan Hayes at the press conference. "We invite everyone to join us in this vital endeavor to uplift our community and ensure that every worker receives the compensation and dignity they deserve."

Ryan Hayes, Progressive Maryland leader speaking on the importance of the bill

The bill now moves to a public hearing next month, where residents and advocates will once again push for its passage to ensure economic justice for all workers in the county.

Progressive Maryland is dedicated to advancing the economic well-being of all residents in Prince George’s County. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, the organization strives to build a future where fairness and justice are at the forefront of economic policy.

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