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Both Sides Will Appeal Legal Ruling That Delays Portland's Hazard Pay

Robert F. Bukaty
/
Associated Press
A worker at a gift shop regulated the number of customers allowed in the store due to the coronavirus pandemic, Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Portland, Maine.

Both sides are appealing a recent legal ruling that Portland's $18-an-hour minimum wage during declared emergencies is legal — but should not go into effect until next year. 

Attorneys representing Portland frontline workers are appealing the ruling from Superior Court Justice Thomas Warren. They say it should go into effect sooner so employees can receive hazard pay during the pandemic.

The Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce is also appealing.  It's challenging the minimum wage provision's validity under the state constitution and the Portland city code.

The Chamber, along with several local businesses, originally filed suit to invalidate the new minimum wage, which voters passed into law in November. 

Nora is originally from the Boston area but has lived in Chicago, Michigan, New York City and at the northern tip of New York state. Nora began working in public radio at Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor and has been an on-air host, a reporter, a digital editor, a producer, and, when they let her, played records.