A group of local activists have taken to the streets to stand up for progressive values in the state budget.

About a dozen residents gathered outside the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe Wednesday morning as part of "We Rise" National Day of Action to Put People and Planet First.

Those who did toted signs in favor of the minimum wage increase, and to stop school budget cuts.

Roy Christman, secretary of the Carbon County Labor Chapter, said, "There's this myth that if you raise the minimum wage, you lose jobs, You don't lose jobs; your economy gains."

Christman said that members of Keystone Progress launched the statewide rally to draw attention.

On Wednesday, Keystone Progress joined with families around the country for "We Rise," a national day of action in affiliation with National People's Action, Center for Popular Democracy, and USAction.

Contacted Wednesday afternoon, state Rep. Doyle Heffley said, "I have always supported people over politics."

"Many of the policies that Keystone Progress supports, on the other hand, would grow government spending on the backs of taxpayers and hit working families the hardest," Heffley said. "For instance, the governor's budget proposal would cost the average working family of four more than $1,400 per year in new taxes."

Heffley continued, "I am not opposed to increasing the minimum wage to a rate that is reasonable for both workers and employers. However, our focus should not solely be on the minimum wage, but on providing workers with the tools and opportunities necessary to rise to a job that pays a family-sustaining wage."

See Thursday's Times News for more on this story.