"Perspectives" piece on the upcoming legislative debate over a measure to increa

Jim McGregor

Source

Mainebiz

Date

11-24-2003

Pages

4, 9

Abstract

"Perspectives" piece on the upcoming legislative debate over a measure to increase Maine's minimum wage from $6.25 an hour to $7 in two jumps. Currently the federal minimum is $5.15 an hour, and only nine other states exceed that. At $7, Maine's minimum would be the fourth-highest in the country. Maine ranks close to the bottom in being small-business friendly, and has the highest tax burden based on ability to pay. It has very liberal family leave and unemployment compensation programs, and its workers' compensation costs and health care costs are among the nation's highest. Maine has one of the country's most progressive pay severance statutes and its environmental laws are among the toughest in the nation. In the previous legislative session, the business lobby helped defeat a measure that would have given Maine the nation's only statewide "living wage" mandate.

Subjects

Maine Ratings, Minimum wage

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