minimum wage

The bills would have blocked foreign government-owned entities from spending money on Maine ballot campaigns, and ensured that farmworkers earn no less than Maine's hourly minimum wage of $13.80.

Both chambers of the Legislature have given initial approval to boosting Maine's minimum wage to $15 an hour. But the bill's prospects remain unclear.

Maine Democrats are trying again to ensure agricultural workers have access to the state's minimum wage and overtime protections, as well as the right to unionize.

The minimum wage increases annually in Maine based on federal cost-of-living data for northeastern states. And with inflation driving up the costs of goods, Maine's minimum wage will rise by $1.05 to a total of $13.80 a hour for the coming year.

Supporters of the referendum also criticized donations from out-of-state groups to committees opposing the ballot measure.

A progressive advocacy group estimates that 147,000 Mainers will see their wages increase next year when the state minimum wage jumps from $12.75 an hour to $13.80.

Maine’s top court has ruled that Portland’s emergency minimum wage increase will not go into effect until next year.

Paul Bolin, senior vice president and the system’s chief human resources officer, says that around 1,200 workers will see their wages go up because they're less than $15 an hour — and many more workers who already make that amount will also get pay increases.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Tuesday over whether voters in Portland had a right to set a time-and-a-half pay provision for city workers during times of emergency.

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…