LAW MAKERS SET TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON BUSINESS BUSTING BILLS MONDAY
AUGUSTA (March 20, 2015) The National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB) is poised to testify Monday in front of the
13-member Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Economic Development as
they consider whether or not to increase Maine’s minimum wage in what could be
detrimental legislation to small businesses across the state and would offer no
assistance to thousands of unemployed Maine workers.
“Increasing the minimum wage could have a negative impact on
Maine’s small employers as well as those seeking employment.” According to NFIB
Maine State Director David Clough, “Our members say that an increase in minimum
wage will affect their hiring decisions as well as drive up prices charged to customers.”
Of the 8 bills that will be heard on Monday, LD 843 would
increase the minimum wage to $12.00 an hour followed by automatic increases
beginning in 2020. The remaining 7 call for a various increases ranging from
$8.00 to $12.00 an hour with automatic increases in the future.
“We understand the desire to help workers earn more but we
believe ordering small employers to pay more wages to their workers is not
risk-free economic miracle medicine,” continued Clough.
