Legislators Weigh Changes to Voter-Approved Minimum Wage Law
Lawmakers are considering making changes to a voter-approved minimum wage law that would require employers to pay tipped workers the minimum wage, regardless of how much they make in tips according to the Associated Press.
Restaurant owners and workers supporting and opposing the law testified at the Statehouse on Wednesday. Voters approved an increase in Maine's minimum wage from $7.50 per hour to $12 an hour by 2020. Then, the wage would increase according to inflation. Tipped employees' wages would reach the minimum wage by 2024 according to the Associated Press.
AP reports several bills would bring back the ability to pay tipped employees below the minimum wage. Republican Rep. Lance Harvell wants to eliminate indexing the minimum wage to inflation. Democratic Sen. Troy Jackson's bill would study the phase out of the below-minimum wage for tipped workers. (AP)