The Kennebec Journal

STATE HOUSE

March 2

Wage bill turned aside

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

AUGUSTA -- The Legislature's Labor Committee voted 11-1 Monday against a bill to tie increases in the minimum wage to an annual adjustment in the Consumer Price Index.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. John Tuttle, D-Sanford, said that, in light of the economy and conversations with two fellow Democrats who were struggling with the bill, he felt it was best to vote it down.

"Maybe the time is not right for this," he said.

Rep. Herb Clark, D-Millinocket, and Rep. Timothy Driscoll, D-Westbrook, both said they wanted to support the measure but could not.

"These are unprecedented times," Driscoll said. "These are uncertain times for our economy and we're not quite sure if it's over yet."

Business groups and individual businesses lobbied strongly against the bill, saying an annual increase in the minimum wage would mean they would have to lay off more workers. The Maine Innkeepers Association, Maine Restaurant Association, Maine Grocers Association and others testified in opposition to the bill, L.D. 192.

Supporters included the Maine State Employees Association and Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods, a volunteer advocacy group for lower-income Mainers.

Across the country, 10 states index the minimum wage, including Vermont, Ohio, and Missouri, according to the Maine Department of Labor. The current minimum wage in Maine is $7.50, while the federal minimum is $7.25. Maine is one of 14 states with a minimum wage higher than the federal threshold.

Because Tuttle's bill got at least one vote -- Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick -- it will move forward to the House and Senate for debate.

"I have never voted against raising the minimum wage and I'm not going to start now," Gerzofsky said.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com