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Maine Business Owners Launch TV Ad Campaign in Support of Raising Minimum Wage

BANGOR, Maine - A group of small businesses owners launched a campaign Wednesday in support of an increased minimum wage, through a series of television ads.

Audio from television ad: "It was important that we paid a living wage because nobody should work full time and have to live in poverty."

That's from an ad featuring business owners Adam Baril and Tony Giambro, who run an auto repair shop in western Maine. Also featured is Michael Landgarten, who owns a clam shack and two other eateries in southern Maine. 

The new Yes on 4 TV campaign is sponsored by the Maine Small Business Coalition.  Director Will Ikard  says the group wants to show that business owners in Maine do support higher wages.

"Corporate lobbyists who represent Wall Street and the national chains would like to tell you that all business owners are against fair wages. Adam, Tony, Michael are examples of the hundreds of Maine businesses and business owners who know that raising wages is good for the state," Ikard says.

But not all business owners believe raising the state's minimum wage from its current $7.50 an hour to $12 per hour by 2020 is a good idea.

Conservative group, the Maine Heritage Policy Center, says passage of Question 4 could result in the loss of more that 14,000 jobs and lead to a significant rise in the cost of goods and services.

Maine voters will decide the referendum question on Nov. 8.