Minimum wage hike sought

AUGUSTA – Supporters of a minimum wage increase threatened Tuesday to appeal to the voters if Gov. Angus King again vetoes a bill to raise Maine’s $5.15-an-hour base wage.

The top two Democrats in the Legislature, House Speaker Michael Saxl of Portland and Senate President Michael Michaud, were among those who spoke at a news conference to call for an increase in the minimum, which is tied to the federal standard.

The Maine AFL-CIO and Catholic Church are also among the supporters, and have set into motion plans for a citizens’ initiative to force a referendum if King vetoes an increase, as he’s done three times in the past.

Edward Gorham, president of the labor federation, said there are enough votes in the Legislature to pass a minimum wage bill, but it’s not clear if there are enough to override a veto.

As alternatives, a citizens’ initiative could be launched or lawmakers could pass a bill to send a minimum wage referendum to the people. Gorham said polls show strong public support for an increase.

“It’s time we truly made work pay more than public assistance,” said Michaud, of East Millinocket. He is sponsoring a bill to raise the minimum wage, and also expand the earned income tax credit while helping small businesses offer health care coverage for their employees.

At least two other wage bills have been introduced in the Legislature.

A proposed referendum question would raise the minimum to $5.75

an hour as of 2002. Starting in 2003, the hourly minimum would go up to $6.25. Every third year after that, increases would be tied to consumer prices.

Another bill asks lawmakers to raise the minimum to $5.65 an hour beginning Oct. 1 and to $6.25 in October 2002.

King has vetoed minimum wage increases three times in the past, and last year used his pocket-veto power to snuff out a bill to increase

Maine’s $5.15 hourly minimum wage by 70 cents an hour through September 2001.

King spokesman John Ripley said Tuesday that he hopes Congress will approve an increase in the federal minimum wage, which Maine would have to observe.

If a minimum wage bill reaches King’s desk, “he’ll take a close look at it and see what it says,” said Ripley.

Democrats have included a minimum wage increase in their legislative agenda for the year.