Split Harrisburg school board passes preliminary budget with 3.4% tax increase

May 30, 2019 | by Mary Imgrund

The Harrisburg school board in a meeting last night

At a special board meeting Wednesday night, the Harrisburg school board squabbled over, and ultimately passed, a preliminary 2019 budget that would raise the school portion of the Harrisburg property tax by 3.4 percent.

The majority voting bloc, led by board President Danielle Robinson, defended the budget against board opponents Carrie Fowler, Judd Pittman and Brian Carter.

Four of last week’s five Democratic primary winners, Douglas Thompson Leader, Jayne Buchwach, Steven Williams and James Thompson, attended the meeting. All of the defeated incumbents, Lionel Gonzalez, Lola Lawson, Patricia Whitehead-Myers and Ellis Roy, now in lame-duck status until December, supported the new budget.

Before the protracted budget fight, resident Peter Marks made the only public comment, suggesting that the board ensure that the length of new contracts don’t stymie the incoming board’s policy agendas.

“There will be, in December, a large change to the composition of the board,” Marks said. “I would respectfully suggest that it would be improper for the board to enter into any long-term agreements between now and the time the new board takes these seats.”

During the debate over the new budget, Pittman asserted that his questions and concerns were not adequately answered about the new budget. He claimed that his suggestion to move towards a decentralized budget, akin those in Chicago and New York City public schools, sparked no dialogue or interest from other board members.

“Let’s really engage the public in really thoughtful and mindful dialogue,” Pittman said, referencing the low public attendance of the school board’s public meetings regarding the budget. “Having a meeting to have a meeting to say you had a meeting isn’t engagement.”

Robinson disagreed, saying that there was ample opportunity for questions and comments for both the public and board before the vote took place this evening.

Kirsten Keys, the district’s public relations coordinator, stated that the public meetings were publicized on the website and in local print publications. The board’s social media is occasionally active, though no events or posts about opportunities for public comment on the budget are present.

Pittman also referenced a potential storm water fee that could create a significant financial strain on the district as it owns large swaths of impermeable land, such as parking lots, across the city.

Meanwhile, none of the members addressed the ongoing dispute with the teacher’s union, which had threatened a one-day strike on Friday over ongoing issues with contract negotiations.

Wednesday night’s budget vote approved the district’s preliminary budget for the 2019-20 school year. The school board still must approve a final budget by June 30.

In city hall ceremony, Harrisburg police officer receives Congressional Badge of Bravery

May 30, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey awards Harrisburg Officer Chad McGowan with the Congressional Badge of Bravery.

It’s not every day that U.S. Attorney David Freed looks out his 3^rd and Locust street office to see a Harrisburg police officer involved in open fire.

But, 17 months ago, that’s exactly what happened.

On Dec. 22, 2017, Harrisburg Officer Chad McGowan responded to a call for assistance after a Capitol police officer was shot at.

McGowan had a county probation officer and three officers in training in his vehicle with him. Approaching the suspect’s car, the gunman began firing at McGowan. The officer quickly took cover beside his vehicle and shot back at the suspect, while his passengers left the vehicle. The man charged McGowan and the PA state trooper that came to his assistance. However, they were able to fatally wound the man and end the assault.

Yesterday, Officer McGowan received the 2017 Congressional Badge of Bravery. In a ceremony hosted by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and the Harrisburg Police Bureau, McGowan was recognized for his courage and service in a dangerous shootout.

“Officer Chad McGowan is an American hero,” Toomey said simply.

“Chad McGowan went toward the danger and stayed until the job was done,” Freed added.

For his act of courage, McGowan was awarded one of the 18 badges given by the U.S. attorney general to U.S. police officers each year.

In 2008, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act to honor “exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state and local law enforcement officers,” according to the Office of Justice Programs. To be awarded the badge, officers must have sustained or faced risk of serious injury or death.

“Every day across Pennsylvania, about 25,000 men and women put on the uniform,” Toomey said. “They put on the badge, and they answer the call of anybody who needs help. While the rest of us have the luxury to run away from trouble, they run toward it, to protect and defend all of us.”

Toomey presented McGowan with the badge as resounding applause and a standing ovation followed.

“I am so humbled by this experience,” McGowan said. “I’m so proud to wear this badge on my shoulder.”

McGowan held his head high, freshly adorned with his red, white, blue and gold badge.

He then recalled his humble beginnings as an officer, lying tired and out of breath on the Police Academy floor, with Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter towering over him and yelling, “Get off your face!”

Carter had walked in, a moment McGowan would never forget, and made the trainees do pushups.

“That’s when I knew I wanted to work for Harrisburg city,” McGowan said.

Nearing 1½ years after confronting the gunman, McGowan still desires to serve Harrisburg through his work, even when it is life-threatening.

“Today is truly a great honor to the city,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse, during the ceremony. “It’s a great honor to the Harrisburg Police Department and the region.”

Harrisburg gets closer to exiting Act 47, as state body backs 5-year financial plan

May 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

City Solicitor Neil Grover speaks during today’s meeting of the Harrisburg Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

The state-appointed body tasked with overseeing Harrisburg’s finances today approved the city’s five-year financial plan, getting Harrisburg a step closer to exiting Act 47.

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) unanimously endorsed the city’s long-term financial plan, following some tweaks and updates from an earlier draft plan.

“I believe that working on this will allow us to take a first necessary step for the city of Harrisburg,” said ICA board member Kathy Speaker MacNett.

Next, the ICA and the city need to draft an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, which will formally set the terms and conditions of the intergovernmental relationship. A draft should be ready by mid-June, said ICA Chairman David Schankweiler.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he hopes the final agreement will be approved by the ICA and City Council before council goes on summer hiatus in early July. At that point, with Commonwealth Court approval, the city can formally exit Act 47, the state’s program for distressed municipalities. The city has been in the program since 2010.

The financial plan approved today had some good news in it.

Since the May 1 draft, the city’s financial picture has brightened considerably. Real estate taxes, earned income taxes, local services taxes and interest income have all been stronger than projected, adding about $1.1 million in projected revenue for 2019.

Meanwhile, projected medical expenses for this year were reduced by $750,000.

As a result, the city expects to be able to pay down its debt faster than it projected just a month ago. It also expects to have to use less of its fund balance over the five-year period.

Nonetheless, Papenfuse remained concerned over what will happen when the five-year plan period expires in 2023. At that point, the city would lose some $12 million in extra taxing authority granted by the state legislature.

If, in the interim, the state does not allow Harrisburg to continue its elevated earned income and local services taxes, the city’s options would be to slash expenses, raise property taxes or perhaps pass a home rule charter, which could allow it to recoup some of the lost taxes.

Several ICA members voiced one reservation about the five-year financial plan. They noted that projected revenues were expected to be basically flat over the period, prompting several members to advocate a strong economic development policy for the city.

“There’s a lot to be done on the economic development front,” said ICA board member Audry Carter.

Following the meeting, Papenfuse said that he welcomed all ideas and proposals from the ICA to spur economic development in the city. He also said his administration is proposing transferring money that was used to fund a city communications director to hiring an economic development director.

The communications director position has been vacant for several months after Joyce Davis left to join PennLive. The economic development director job, which had been funded by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, has been vacant since last year when then-director Jackie Parker left.

Harrisburg to seek grant funding for road, recreation projects

May 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Proposed improvements to part of the Market Street corridor in Harrisburg

Harrisburg expects to apply for grants for several infrastructure projects, as it makes plans for improvements to roads, sidewalks and recreational spaces.

At tonight’s work session, the administration will make a pitch to City Council for submitting three separate grant applications.

The largest, a $2.24 million grant request to the Commonwealth Financing Authority, would help fund a series of improvements downtown along Walnut, Market and Chestnut streets.

“It’s for road diets, bike lanes, paving and general improvements,” said city Engineer Wayne Martin, who noted that this is the fourth time that the city has sought funding for what is now called the “Harrisburg East-West Multimodal Connection Project.”

Other improvements would include traffic signal upgrades, new crosswalks, bump-outs and green areas.

According to Martin, the city hopes to build on the improvements now taking place along the 3^rd Street corridor, which includes new curbs, lighting, sewers, ADA-accessible ramps and pavement, among other work.

The idea, he said, is to improve several critical north/south corridors, including the portion of Market Street between the train station and Cameron Street. Both the city and the state hope to revitalize those largely abandoned blocks on Market Street by better controlling flooding, adding green space and relocating the city’s bus transfer station to the area.

“We’re going to make a concentrated effort to make this [grant] happen,” he said.

The administration also is seeking council approval to apply for two smaller grants focused on recreation.

The first would offer match funding for the planned Chutes & Ladders playground in Reservoir Park, a $600,000 project that is part of the Reservoir Park Master Plan.

In April, the city submitted an application for a $250,000 grant to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to build the playground. That grant, though, requires a one-to-one funding match, which the city hopes to obtain through a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Another project, if it came to fruition, would mean a major change to the city’s summer recreation for its young people.

The administration hopes to apply for a $50,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to conduct a feasibility study for replacing the city’s two public swimming pools with spray park/splash pad installations.

In recent years, the two pools—at the Jackson Lick and Hall Manor public housing projects—have been closed often due to leaks and other problems. According to Martin, the pools are nearing the end of their lifespans, and the cost of replacing them is prohibitive. Therefore, the city is searching for more affordable options.

“Every year, we spend tens of thousands of dollars to Band-Aid them,” he said. “The feasibility study would look at the new aquatic facilities and what they would cost.”

Currently, both pools are slated to open for the season in mid-June.

Parking Advisory committee meeting incredibly short, sparsely attended

May 28, 2019 | by Mary Imgrund

Tuesday’s meeting of the Park Harrisburg Advisory Committee

Despite constant complaints about parking in Harrisburg, only three members of the public showed up Tuesday night for a rare Park Harrisburg Advisory Committee meeting, which was was short, quiet and methodical.

Nancy Keim, deputy executive director of the Harrisburg Parking Authority, enumerated what she considered to be the parking system’s 2018 successes: increased use of the ParkMobile parking app, which now accounts for about one-third of all transactions; event parking rates for visitors attending festivals; and 12 electric car charging stations installed in partnership with the commonwealth.

Also in 2018, Park Harrisburg received less revenue overall, but that shortfall was offset by lower expenses, she said. So, it was able to deposit about $1 million into its capital reserve fund, the first money put into reserve since 2014.

Capital improvement projects from last year focused on fixing the Locust and Chestnut street garages, with both projects finishing under budget, she said.

Objectives for this year include a retrofit of the Walnut Street garage’s elevators and continued concrete work at the Chestnut Street garage, she said.

This year, the committee anticipates that the system will lose some $760,000 due to increased costs, which may negatively affect 2019’s payment to the city.

Few residents were in attendance for the brief meeting, despite frustrations often articulated about parking in Harrisburg and the fact that the committee had not met publicly in well more than a year. However, those in attendance offered thoughtful commentary.

Michael Hertrich, a Midtown transplant from Pittsburgh, said that existing parking policies harmed residents and stifled small businesses.

“I owned and operated a business in the south side of Pittsburgh for 30 years, and I’m looking to open a business in the City of Harrisburg,” he began. “But I need someone to explain to me why I would consider opening a business in a city that doesn’t promote small business. Right now, it is totally stifled by your parking system.”

He suggested that Harrisburg could learn from the experiences in his former area of Pittsburgh. For instance, Park Harrisburg could allow a window of free parking in permit-only areas or allow residents to buy yearly guest permits to accommodate deliveries, home repairs, neighbor visits, or other happenings of a healthy urban center, he said.

Another resident, AJ Knee, said that he’s generally thankful for Park Harrisburg, but believes that signage should be made clearer and the committee should implement a way to transfer residential permits in the case of rental vehicles.

Following the public comment period, the meeting ended abruptly after about 20 minutes, without the committee addressing the comments and concerns of residents.

The next public Advisory Committee meeting is slated for later this year, likely in November or December.

Burg Review: Open Stage’s “Ragtime”–an emotionally charged musical of America in transition.

May 28, 2019 | by Amy Mastrangelo

Many may know “Ragtime” as a grand Broadway spectacle—or even from the grand, 1981 feature film.

But there is something magical about seeing this larger-than-life story in person, and on a smaller stage. In this way, you can see facial expressions filled with torment, love and hatred. You can clearly hear the emotions behind line, whether spoken or sung.

Directed by Rachel Landon, the high-energy and emotionally charged musical debuted this weekend at Open Stage of Harrisburg’s intimate downtown theater. The cast portrays complex roles, making each gaze and grimace a memorable sight. The acting and impressive voices are best experienced up close and very personal.

The play centers around three groups of people—white, black and immigrant—and how they experience turn-of-the-century America in all its glory and all its misery. The production breathes deeply of the rapidly changing times circa 1900 and the emergence of such phenomena as celebrity influence, mass-market culture, transience and the quest for economic and racial equality, among other issues.

As the play progresses, the characters’ lives become interconnected, and they learn how their actions can have unexpected consequences.

This production features impressive double- and triple-character casting. Performers fluidly change attitude, posture, head-to-toe fashion and tone of voice.

Georgianna Hicks plays a spunky Evelyn Nesbit as she wears glittering garb and hits every high note. Surrounded by protest signs that read “Opportunities for all people,” Benny Benamati channels anarchist Emma Goldman’s passionate spirit.

The live, three-piece orchestra plucks string instruments and piano keys, while the performers articulate in tandem. The carefully choreographed left- and right-footsteps mimic Henry Ford’s systematic assembly line. Boisterous speakeasy patrons float across the stage as they dance.

The score never stops to catch its breath, and each song is just as impactful as the one before. Characterized by its syncopated and ragged rhythm, ragtime music is unexpected. Though the characters step to each beat with determination and hope, they are swept into a cacophony of grief and loss.

Jimmy Oronoz plays his role as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. with such conviction that, when he balls his fists and cries demands of justice, the audience collectively holds its breath. You could also feel Mother’s [Stacey Werner] emotions build to an intense crescendo during the powerful solo, “Back To Before.” As Sarah [Pilisa Mackey] and Coalhouse [Oronoz] sing and dance together, their chemistry shines.

Occasionally, a wall-mounted television displays genuine black-and-white footage of historical events. As we, the audience, watch the cast watch the television, we recognize that the socioeconomic themes of a bygone era are still with us in today’s America.

Given the intimacy of the stage and the talented cast, you can expect to get goose bumps watching this production of “Ragtime.” You also may realize how much has changed over the past century-plus—and how much hasn’t.

“Ragtime” runs through June 16 at Open Stage of Harrisburg, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, call 717-232-6736 or visit www.openstagehbg.com.

The Week that Was: A summary of news and events around Harrisburg

May 24, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A polling place on primary day in Harrisburg

What happened around Harrisburg over the past week? Here’s a summary of news and events that you may have missed.

Art Association of Harrisburg debuted its latest exhibit, “International Juried Show,” at its Front Street gallery. Our art critic has the lowdown on the new show. Click here for the full story.

Artsfest takes place this weekend in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The annual juried art show also will feature food, music, vendors, a kid’s area and the annual Moviate film festival. Click here for the full story.

Cappy took a bow last week as the newest member of the state Capitol police force. She’s a pit bull mix and will serve as the department’s community service dog. Click here for the full story.

Elementary Coffee Co. was the site of a rally for pay equity and raising the minimum wage in Pennsylvania. State Rep. Patty Kim joined Elementary owner Andrea Grove and others in the push for fairer pay. Click here for the full story.

Fredricksen Library last week cut the ribbon a new entrance and a new business/career center. The Camp Hill library also plans a new outdoors plaza to finish up the improvement project. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg ranks No. 4 in the nation among best cities for recent college grads, according to a new study. Realtor.com, a leading real estate website, commended the city for its many amenities, outdoors life and relatively low cost of living. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg school board challengers swept the primary election last week, defeating four incumbents and capturing all five seats at stake. In the race for City Council, the opposite occurred, as all three incumbents prevailed. Click here for the full story.

HMAC (House of Music, Arts & Culture) sold for $6 million last week to a new controlling partnership, allowing it to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The new owners plan to begin immediately on another round of renovations and improvements. Click here for the full story.

Lower Dauphin School District students took on a mural project that will be hung in the adolescent wing of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. You can contribute to it during this weekend’s Artsfest in Harrisburg. Click here for the full story.

Open Stage of Harrisburg debuts its newest production, “Ragtime,” this weekend. The intertwining stories of America at the turn of the 20th century runs through June 16. Click here for the full story.

Parking will be the topic of the evening on Tuesday when the Park Harrisburg Advisory Board meets in the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will feature both a review of the system and a public portion, where comments can be aired. Click here for the full story.

Sara Bozich has dozens of ideas for things to do this weekend—that is, when you’re not at Artsfest. Check out her “Weekend Roundup.”

TheBurg’s editor weighed in with his post-mortem on the race for Harrisburg school board, saying it was the third “change election” in Harrisburg over the past decade. Click here for the full blog post.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily email digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here!

Mural project to bring color, brighten up hospital walls for teenaged patients

May 24, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Lower Dauphin students flank some of the artwork they created.

Right now, if you stepped inside the adolescent floor of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI), you’d be greeted by plain, white, hospital-like walls. Not something teenagers want to look at every day.

PPI’s Dr. Elisabeth Kunkel decided it was time to change that.

In December, she issued a call for artists, and students of the Lower Dauphin School District responded. Since then, they’ve created 12 murals, which will be placed on PPI’s adolescent floor in late June or July. Some of the pieces include a tree landscape, a peacock, mandala and abstract works.

“We know through research and experience that being able to view art is good for your mental wellness,” said Ruth Moore, PPI’s director of business development and admissions. “And the reason why we wanted to work with a school district is because we wanted the young people to understand that they were doing this for their peers.”

Guided by their art teacher, Dana Attivo, and local artist Linda Billet, nearly 400 Lower Dauphin students had a hand in brightening up the institute. This weekend, you can lend a hand, as well.

For their last mural, the students are bringing a lotus flower mural to Artsfest in Harrisburg and having members of the community contribute to it. According to Attivio, she and the students loved the idea of a lotus because it represents the possibility of growth.

“It’s the idea of the flowers growing out of the muck and blooming from maybe not-so-pretty circumstances,” she said. “It represents going through a dark time and coming out on the other end.”

PPI’s adolescent unit currently houses 16 people from ages 13 to 18. Though the main goal is to brighten up their floor, the project serves as a lesson for the Lower Dauphin students, as well.

When it came to art, senior Caitlin Cummings usually worked alone. Now she spends a chunk of her day cutting glass and layering paper with as many as 19 other students.

“It’s a really good project. There is good meaning behind it, and it has good potential,” she said. “I get to work with actual artists, and it’s been really beneficial to me.”

Olivia Dreon, another senior, loved the idea that her contributions to the project were going toward the health of others.

“It is an awesome project to be a part of because you’re helping people who are the same age as you, and you’re having an impact on their wellbeing,” she said. “You’re also able to use your skills and abilities to this project, and I think that’s awesome.”

Attivo hopes the project teaches the students about empathy, too.

“I want them to be able to think about creating for other people,” she said. “In our classes, we push for students finding their own voice, but these projects push them to think about and create something for others”

The project was funded entirely by donations, including from the Pinnacle Health Foundation, Dauphin County Medical Society Alliance, PA Foundation for the Arts and others. So far, the institute has raised $48,000 and is still seeking contributions to cover additional costs.

PPI is pushing for mental health awareness along with the creation of the murals. Dr. Kunkel will represent PPI at the mural’s tent near Kunkel Plaza during Artsfest and provide visitors with mental health information. Next month, Moore is training Lower Dauphin School District officials in recognizing mental health warning signs and symptoms in youth.

“We’re very interested in ensuring that young people get the best care possible and get the right tools and therapy to ensure their wellness,” Moore said.

You can contribute to the Lower Dauphin student’s mural this weekend, May 25 to May 27, at Artsfest in Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park. For more information on the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and their services visit www.ppimhs.org.

To Wag and Serve: This PA Capitol police rookie is young, friendly and may just lick your hand

May 24, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

When you think of a police dog, you may envision a large German shepherd with sharp teeth and a menacing look.

Well, that’s not Cappy at all.

The newest member of the Pennsylvania Capitol Police immediately greeted me with a wagging tail and started licking my hand. Cappy, short for Capitol, will serve as a community service dog, helping to build a relationship between police and the public, which means you just might see her around Harrisburg.

“She just makes it easier for people to approach us and talk to us,” said Sgt. Michael Schmidt.

On an early morning in April, Schmidt received a call about a stray dog near a Capitol office building. There, he found the 7-month-old pit bull mix wagging her tail and licking anyone who came up to her.

A futile search for an owner followed, as did a trip to the vet. Before long, Cappy had herself a new home with Schmidt —and a new job.

The Capitol police force currently has five other K-9s, including four explosive-detection dogs and one narcotics-detection dog. However, Cappy will be unlike her fellow coworkers in the K-9 unit, as her main purpose is community outreach and comforting crime victims.

“[With Cappy] you get to see the police officers in a different light,” said Troy Thompson, press secretary for the state Department of General Services. “They’re not giving anyone a ticket, they’re not arresting anyone. It’s just a positive interaction that can stick with people and break the ice.”

Although formal training efforts are in the works, Cappy has started basic obedience training with Schmidt, who is a former K-9 trainer himself. She already spends days out in the community with the Capitol police, and nights with Schmidt and his family on his small farm, which includes another dog, a cat, goats and chickens.

“It’s preferable that she’s in an environment where she can go home to sleep and be around other animals and children, and Capt. Schmidt has both,” Thompson said. “She gets a taste of the city life during the day and the country life during the evening.”

Cappy’s name was determined through a Facebook competition. From the thousands of people who commented, the other top contenders were Hannah, River, Blue and Penny.

“It was such a positive thing to see everyone involved and that we were able to do something like this, and we’re just going to continue to build off of that with Cappy,” Thompson said.

The Capitol police hope that Cappy will provide a friendly face for Harrisburg residents and help strengthen the bond between the community and the force.

“We do a lot here, and we just want to be able to keep promoting that,” Thompson said. “We feel like Cappy is another way that we can continue to do that. And we look forward for what’s to come for this pup.”

Pictured: PA Capitol Police Sgt. Michael Schmidt and Cappy

Coffee & Equity: Battle for fair wages taken to Broad Street Market

May 23, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Owner Andrea Grove speaks with state Rep. Patty Kim at Elementary Coffee Co. in the Broad Street Market.

What gets you going in the morning? A strong cup of coffee? In Elementary Coffee Co.’s case, it’s strong coffee and fair wages.

Owner Andrea Grove today met with state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) at Elementary’s stand inside the Broad Street Market to discuss wage increases and the positive effects on small businesses.

Since opening 4½ years ago, Elementary has made pay equity a high priority, explained Grove. One of the main ways they do this is through paychecks that exceed the minimum wage.

“When Elementary makes more, our employees make more,” Grove said. “I’d really like people to make more than me.”

At first, Elementary started employees at $9 an hour, but now has increased pay on average to $12 to $13.50 per hour, Grove said, adding that, with tips, employees earn up to $18.20 an hour.

“[Grove] is putting higher minimum wage in a formula up front–it’s not an afterthought,” said Kim, a strong supporter of a Pennsylvania minimum wage increase. “That is the mental shift we need.”

Federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. However, 30 states (including Washington, D.C.) currently have higher minimum wages, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“People shouldn’t be working full-time and still have to be on public assistance programs,” said state Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller, who also attended the pay equity event at Elementary Coffee. “They should be able to afford housing and food and basic necessities.”

Advocates like Kim dream of seeing a $15 minimum wage.

While some businesses may struggle to increase wages, Kim sees it as a long-term investment. Small businesses can expect better employee retention with higher pay, she said.

Kim acknowledged that some job losses may result from an increased minimum wage. About 33,000 people will lose their jobs in Pennsylvania, she explained, but some 1 million people can expect pay a raise.

“We have to pick and choose our battles,” she said. “In the long run, it will be beneficial.”

The long run is exactly what Elementary has in mind as they look forward to opening a second location at 256 North St., Harrisburg, in July. Grove explained that, as workers take on full-time roles, Elementary will raise their wages yet again. They are also looking into providing health care coverage for employees.

Grove recognized that it takes time to gain enough stability to pay above minimum wage.

“It comes in steps,” she said. “One step at a time.”

Or, perhaps, one cup of coffee at a time.

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