On January 11, 2023, at 12:15 p.m., Governor Janet Mills declared a state of emergency in Cumberland County as a result of the severe storm earlier in the week. As Portland, Maine employers may recall, when the State issues a state of emergency, it triggers the emergency minimum wage provision in the Portland City Minimum Wage Ordinance.
Accordingly, as of 12:15 p.m. on January 11, 2023, all Portland employers, with employees within Portland City Limits, should be paying employees a minimum of $22.50 per hour (up $7.50 from the current base minimum wage of $15.00 per hour). For employers taking advantage of the tip credit, all employees in tipped positions must be paid a minimum of $11.25 per hour. The emergency minimum wage provision will stay in effect until the state of emergency is lifted.
