PORTLAND (WGME) – The minimum wage in Portland could be going up to $18 an hour if Portland voters approve a measure this fall.
That would apply for all workers, including those who get tips.
The Portland City Council has approved five citizen initiatives to go on the ballot.
One of them would increase the minimum wage.
It would go up to $18 an hour over three years.
Plus, it would eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers over that same time.
Tipped workers would also then get $18 an hour at minimum plus tips.
One business owner argued that tips will go down and costs could be transferred along to customers.
“I don't care about a guaranteed $18 minimum wage, because like I said, I don't have a single employee that makes minimum wage,” Andy’s Old Port Pub Owner John Lowell said. “It's a matter of where that guarantee comes from. I can either add it to my food costs or people can control what level of service they get.”
This wage increase would also apply to taxi drivers and other ride or delivery services.
Other initiatives that will go on the ballot will involve regulation and reducing the number of short-term rentals in the city.
Plus, there will be questions about tenant protections and cruise ship restrictions.