HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-24 15-294 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 15-294
Date: August 24, 2015
Item/Subject: RESOLVE, Supporting Petition Efforts of Citizen's Initiative Titled, "An Act to
Raise the Minimum Wage"
Responsible Department: Legal
Commentary:
The minimum wage set by the state or federal government has not been increased since 2009.
The minimum wage in Maine is $7.50 per hour. Though public sentiment has indicated support
for an increase in the minimum wage the federal and state governments have not acted. There is
a citizen's initiative currently underway which will likely provide a state-wide ballot measure to
increase the state-wide minimum wage. The proposed citizen's initiative provides for a greater
minimum wage for Maine's lowest income earners, increasing to $9.00 per hour in January 2017
up to $12.00 per hour in 2020, followed by an annual CPI adjustment. If the required number of
petition signatures are obtained the question will be on the November 2016 ballot.
This Resolve, if passed, will support the petition effort. The resolve does not state a position on
a vote on the question should enough signatures be gathered to place it on the November 2016
ballot.
Manager's Comments:
Associated Information:
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
Passage
First Reading
Referral
Department Head
I/A
City Manager
Finance Director
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Page _ of _
Assigned to Councilor Baldacci
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(TITLE.) Resolve, Supporting Petition Efforts of Citizen's Initiative titled,
the Minimum Wage."
15-294
AUGUST 24, 2015
"An Act to Raise
WHEREAS, the minimum wage at the state or federal level has not been increased since 2009; and
WHEREAS, though public sentiment has indicated support for an increase in the minimum wage the
federal government and state government have not acted; and
WHEREAS, there is a citizen's initiative currently underway which will likely provide a state-wide ballot
measure to increase the state-wide minimum wage; and
WHEREAS, the proposed initiative. provides a greater minimum wage for Maine's lowest income
earners, increasing to $9 per hour in January 2017 up to $12 per hour in 2020 followed by an annual
CPI adjustment; and
WHEREAS, given the lack of consideration by the state and federal governments it is appropriate and
in the best interest of the citizens of Bangor and the State of Maine that they have the opportunity to
vote on whether or not there should be an increase in the state minimum wage.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT
The citizens of the State of Maine should have the right to vote on whether there should be an increase
in the statewide minimum wage and, therefore, that the City Council, on behalf of the City of Bangor,
supports the current effort to gather signatures to place the Citizen's initiative entitled "An Act to Raise
the Minimum Wage" on the November 2016 ballot.
IN CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 24, 2015
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE
MOTION DOUBTED
VOTE: 6-1
COUNCILORS VOTING YES: CIVIELLO, FAIRCLOTH, NEALLEY, PLOURDE, SPRAGUE,
DURGIN
COUNCILORS VOTING NO: GRAHAM
PASSED
CITY CLERK