In November, Portland voters approved a 50 percent raise in the city’s minimum wage, to $18 an hour, for people who continue in-person work during a publicly declared emergency.

While the law is unclear exactly when this would take effect, “Labor law experts say that if employers don’t start paying that rate as soon as next month, they could be held liable for triple damages plus legal fees,” reports Maine Public.

And, if you did not attend (virtually), there is a free YouTube recording of Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues discussing Portland’s minimum wage increase and its hardship on local businesses and nonprofit, including early care providers. Starting Strong partner Lori Moses of Catherine Morrill Day Nursery does a wonderful job explaining the challenges facing early care providers – the workforce behind the workforce! (Lori is at about 37 min into the video.)