AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives has supported a bill that would raise the state’s $7.50 minimum wage to $9.50 by 2018.
The Democratic-controlled House voted 81-66 to give initial approval to Democratic Rep. Dillon Bates’ bill on Monday. It would raise the minimum wage to $8 in October. It would then go up 50 cents every year until it reaches $9.50.
But the support is not enough to survive a near certain veto from Gov. Paul LePage, who opposes the measure and has rejected a similar bill in the past.
Democrats say raising the minimum wage is long overdue and will spur economic growth. But many Republicans say the move will kill jobs.
The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate. It faces further votes in both chambers.
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