PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Portland is considering a plan to raise the city’s minimum wage to $9.50 per hour, two dollars more than the current statewide minimum.
Mayor Michael Brennan said Tuesday the plan he’s developing in conjunction with a city task force could be presented to the City Council for consideration as soon as September, for implementation in January.
Brennan tells the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1sQme7G ) that people can’t live on $7.50 an hour.
An increase would make Portland the first Maine city with a minimum wage higher than required by the state or federal government. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Under the current proposal, the rate would go up in subsequent years and may be tied to the cost of living.
Some businesses are opposed to a minimum wage hike.
___
Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
