Maine November Ballot Initiative To Raise Minimum Wage

On the surface raising Maine's minimum wage looks good and sounds fair as so many in our state barely make ends meet. A few extra dollars in their pockets could go a long way toward paying bills, increasing upward mobility and fueling the economy by Mainer's having more money to spend.

However, the other side of the coin is that it could really hurt SMALL businesses who barely get by as it is and thus hurt Maine's economy.

How so?

It could force these small businesses to cut back on their work force or  hours of their employees in order to help make up the difference of paying the higher wages. Worse yet, some may have to downsize or close altogether.

Then what would happen to those whose hours were cut or were let go? Will they be able to find other jobs or could they possibly end up on unemployment, welfare and food stamps thus burdening the state economically?

And what about the small businesses whose bottom line becomes more difficult to meet? Will they continue to prosper or will they barely get by or even possibly have to shut down due to having to pay increased wages?

Tough, tough decision to make come November....