Lepage Supports Effort To Block Minimum Wage Hikes

Governor Paul LePage is backing a bill that would prevent Maine cities and towns from increasing the minimum wage.

The bill's sponsor, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Andre Cushing, was expected to introduce the bill in the senate Tuesday.

It comes as minimum wage hikes are considered in both Portland and Bangor.

Bangor Councilor Joseph Baldacci is promoting a plan to increase the city’s minimum wage each year until it reaches $9.75 in 2018.

And the Portland City Council's Finance Committee backed a plan last week that would require employers to pay workers at least $8.75 an hour.

Maine's minimum wage is currently $7.50 an hour. A full-time worker earning minimum wage in Maine would make $15,600 a year.