The Gist
State Representative, 179th District
Photo of Jason T Dawkins
Jason T DawkinsOfficial portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Jason T Dawkins

Candidate for State Representative, 179th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Philadelphia

State representative for the 179th District since his election in 2014 and chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee. He previously spent seven years as a legislative aide to Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez.

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Photo: Official portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Proposes legislation to protect Philadelphia's $100,000 business tax (BIRT) exclusion for small businesses.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Protect Small Businesses in Philadelphia

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 24, 2025 · Co-sponsorship memo, March 24, 2025 · palegis.us

    “we will soon be introducing legislation to clarify that the city's BIRT exclusion does not violate the uniformity clause”
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Public safety

  • Proposes stronger penalties for grooming or sexually extorting children online, plus restitution for victims.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Protecting Children from Online Exploitation

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Feb 9, 2026 · Co-sponsorship memo, Feb. 9, 2026 · palegis.us

    “strengthens penalties for using the internet to groom or sexually extort a child”
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Economy & jobs

  • Sponsored the House-passed bill raising the minimum wage to $11 in 2027 and $15 by 2029, then indexing it.In office

    PA House passes Dawkins' bill to raise minimum wage

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Jason Dawkins · Mar 24, 2026 · News release, March 24, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “would increase the statewide minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $11 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2027 … The minimum wage would then increase to $13 per hour in 2028 and $15 per hour in 2029”
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  • Urges the state Senate to vote on raising the minimum wage.In office

    House and Senate Democrats call for minimum wage increase

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Jason Dawkins · Jun 30, 2026 · News release, June 30, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “When you raise the wage, you raise all of us in this commonwealth.”
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  • Sponsored a bill closing prevailing-wage loopholes for split rates and off-site custom fabrication (2024).In office

    Dawkins prevailing wage legislation passes Pa. House

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Jason Dawkins · Jun 24, 2024 · News release, June 24, 2024 · pahouse.com

    “prohibit the practice of paying "split rates" on publicly funded construction projects and ensure that custom fabrication work”
    Report

  • Said the 2025 city contract raise for DC 33 workers lagged inflation and urged more support for city workers.In office

    Statement of Pennsylvania House Majority Labor Chair Jason Dawkins on the Tentative Agreement between AFSCME District Council 33 and Mayor Cherelle Parker

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Jason Dawkins · Jul 9, 2025 · Statement, July 9, 2025 · pahouse.com

    “a nine-percent raise spread over three years lags behind every credible projection of inflation”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Sponsored a law making domestic violence victims who leave work for safety reasons eligible for unemployment.In office

    Bill to help domestic violence victims receive unemployment heads to Gov's desk

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Jason Dawkins · Dec 17, 2025 · News release, Dec. 17, 2025 · pahouse.com

    “allow victims of domestic violence to qualify for unemployment benefits if they leave their jobs due to safety concerns”
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Courts & justice

  • Sponsored legislation to let people serving life sentences petition a parole board.In office

    Rep. Jason T Dawkins' Biography

    Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Biography · pahouse.com

    “This bill would allow all Pennsylvanians currently serving sentences of life imprisonment to go before a parole board and petition their cases.”
    Report

All sources (13)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.