On November 4th, Portland voters will decide on increasing the minimum wage to $19 per hour by 2028. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a living wage is defined as “the hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support themselves and/or their family, working full-time, or 2080 hours per year.” MIT estimates that the living wage for a single adult in Portland is currently $25.11 per hour.
The Cumberland County Greens support any effort to close the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage. By voting YES on Question A, voters will support a measure that provides decent wages for workers in our community.
While $19 per hour by 2028 is a small step towards aligning the minimum wage with a real living wage, it is a move in the right direction to ensure that workers receive the autonomy and dignity they deserve. The Cumberland County Greens endorse this measure as part of our ongoing commitment to promoting a fairer and more equitable approach to work in Portland. We urge all residents to join us in supporting a minimum wage that uplifts workers.