Portland voters may be asked to again consider increasing the minimum wage

Councilors also heard Wednesday from an analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy and the director of advocacy at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce about potential impacts of a wage increase.

James Myall, policy analyst for the center, said most research shows there are minimal or no negative affects on employment if the minimum wage is kept at 60 percent or less of the median hourly wage for full-time, year-round wage earners. Myall estimated that the current median wage for full-time workers in Portland is just under $28 per hour, which means the city could support a minimum wage of $16.70 per hour.

Click here to read the full story, first published June 21, 2022 in the Portland Press Herald.