Press Herald: GOP lawmakers trying to slow minimum-wage hikes

In a news release last week, the liberal-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy said the minimum wage increase would affect about 59,000 Mainers, about one out of every 10 workers in the state. The new minimum wage translates to an increase of $79.6 million in pay next year, or about $1,349 for each minimum wage worker in the state, according to the center. Rising wages will end up benefiting other workers, as businesses increase salaries for other workers to adjust pay scales to the new wage floor, the center estimated.