![A Closer Look: Maine Ballot Question 4 ‘Maine Minimum Wage Increase’](http://townsquare.media/site/488/files/2016/09/ballot1.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
A Closer Look: Maine Ballot Question 4 ‘Maine Minimum Wage Increase’
Election Day 2016 is just three weeks away and we've been taking a closer look at the five citizen initiative questions and one bond question that Mainers will be voting on. Today we take a closer look at Maine Ballot Question 4 'Maine Minimum Wage Increase' question.
This is how the question will look on the ballot:
Do you want to raise the minimum hourly wage of $7.50 to $9 in 2017, with annual $1 increases up to $12 in 2020, and annual cost-of-living increases thereafter; and do you want to raise the direct wage for service workers who receive tips from half the minimum wage to $5 in 2017, with annual $1 increases until it reaches the adjusted minimum wage?
Those in favor of question four argue that the minimum wage does not provide a living wage and will reduce the number of Maine residents who need public assistance and is particularly important for single parents and the elderly.
Those against the question argue that a $12 minimum wage is too high and would be detrimental to small business owners and would discourage new businesses from coming to Maine.
What do you think?
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