The Portland Green Independent Committee released a statement Thursday morning announcing their intentions to create a citizen’s initiative to establish a $15 per hour minimum wage in Maine’s largest city.
Here’s the statement in full:
“The Portland Green Independent Committee will soon begin the process to create a living wage of $15 an hour for Portland workers via a citizens’ initiative.
Dismayed that the Mayor’s proposal for increasing the minimum wage will still leave many unable to participate in our vibrant economy and unable to afford the city’s skyrocketing cost of living, the Greens’ ordinance will create a true living wage for Portland’s working people.
With this ordinance, the Greens aim to show that a higher minimum wage will not result in fewer jobs, but instead facilitate more money flowing through the local community, leading to job growth and an improved economy, as has happened in other parts of the country where minimum wage increases have passed.
There are currently two working proposals that approach the way in which this wage increase will be applied. There will be a meeting in room 24 at city hall, Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30, where the PGIC will finalize the details. Public and Press are welcome to attend.”