BANGOR, Maine - Supporters of a ballot question that seeks to raise the state minimum wage to $12 an hour over the next four years released their first television ad today.
Kathy Rondone, of Augusta, said she would have never imagined that she would still be in the work force at 72 earning the current minimum wage of $7.50 an hour.
"Making low wages is very hard on older people - we drive old cars, we have old houses," Rondone said. "I just had shoulder replacement surgery and had to take 30 days off work with no pay. That's a frightening and challenging situation."
Opponents of the plan say many small employers will be forced to lay off workers to offset increased wage costs or increase prices.
A conservative advocacy group, the Maine Heritage Policy Center, predicted that if approved by the voters, Question 4 would result in the loss of 14,000 jobs. Supporters of the wage increase dispute that finding.
