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

Abstract

Perspectives piece on the upcoming legislative debate over a measure to increase Maine\u27s 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\u27s 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\u27 compensation costs and health care costs are among the nation\u27s highest. Maine has one of the country\u27s 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\u27s only statewide living wage mandate