Pennsylvania’s lawmakers are considering a $20-an-hour minimum wage.

We believe proponents of the increase are correct that an increase to the now-$7.25 minimum in Pennslvania is overdue. But, as we’ve editorialized when a $15-an-hour minimum wage was proposed in past years, our state needs to be mindful not to place an excessive burden on employers, particularly small businesses, and realistic about what the workforce in rural Pennsylvania truly needs.

We believe the minimum wage should be increased. We do not believe a $20 an hour or even $15-an-hour makes sense for the entire state.

We continue to be skeptical that $15 an hour was necessary in at least 50 of our state’s 63 counties. And as free-market pressures have lifted wages throughout the state and nation in recent years, without government intervention, and the consequences of increasing the expense of payroll in producing goods and services have contributed significantly to the inflationary spiral troubling the budgets of Pennsylvania’s households, our skepticism has grown.

What remains clear to us is that our lawmakers need to be prudent in considering the ideal minumum wage — both cautious of what effect it may have on the prices all working families pay in our stores and businesses and willing to look at the long-term implications for employees and employers alike.