In support of a livable wage
From the Maine House
By Rep. Bob Saucier
Mainers are known for their work ethic. We are proud to perform the hard work necessary to grow food, harvest trees and teach our children. We also have a reasonable expectation to earn enough to put food on the table. In other words, a hard day of work should be accompanied by an honest paycheck.
I believe 
that no working Mainer should live in poverty which is why I proudly support the Legislature’s decision to gradually raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour over the next three years with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Maine’s minimum wage stands at $7.50 per hour and has remained at that level since 2009. Mainers working full-time minimum-wage jobs earn $15,600 a year, too little to live a healthy, productive life, not to mention raise a family.
Most businesses already pay their employees more than the minimum wage. This bill ensures that these businesses won’t face a competitive disadvantage for treating their employees with respect. This leveling of the playing field for businesses will create competition that will invigorate our economy, create local jobs and grow the middle class.
Research shows that low-wage workers are apt to spend money quickly to buy staples at local businesses. The increased spending resulting from increasing the minimum wage will jump start economic growth and allow businesses to hire more employees. Clearly, raising the minimum wage is a smart way to rebuild our economy and put Mainers back to work.
Maine is a state with a long tradition of self-sufficiency. Working should be able to fulfill basic needs without turning to welfare programs. Raising the minimum wage ensures that those working for a living will not need to turn to public assistance in order to survive. In doing so, we maintain the foundation of self-sufficiency our state is built upon and we ensure a basic standard of living for all working Mainers.
This bill still will not make Maine’s minimum wage a truly living wage, but it is a step in the right direction. Nine dollars an hour is still not enough to feed a family or pay rent.
While Democrats were increasing the wages of working Mainers, Legislative Republicans voted in favor for a huge tax cut on earnings gained from selling stocks and other financial instruments. The Republican measure would mean that millionaires and billionaires would pay an overall tax rate lower than firefighters, farmers and nurses. In times like these, we have to ask ourselves about our priorities. Do we want to provide another tax break for the wealthy, or invest in education, our crumbling roads and other areas vital to our prosperity?
The contrasting priorities of Democrats and Republicans illustrate the clear differences in values held by each party. I am happy to report that Democrats defeated the Republicans’ irresponsible tax proposal. It’s time we tax fairly and cut wisely, not tax the middle class and cut services to our children, seniors and public safety.
As always, I hope you will feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns. I can be reached @ saucierforpi@gmail.com or at 227-1160.
