The movement for a higher minimum wage is encountering stiffer resistance after two years of mostly success. The opposition is coming at the state level and in traditionally liberal regions, suggesting that the tide is turning in the movement.

On Thursday, Maine legislators amended pending legislation that would raise the rate to $12 an hour, up from the current rate of $9, to restore an exception for tipped employees, such as waiters, allowing them to be paid as little as $5 an hour.