More than a dozen advocates gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday to call on city councilors to pass a citywide minimum wage without further delay.

“It’s been seven months now since this was first proposed and we are still waiting for the City Council to take action,” said Julia Legler, a 23-year-old waitress. “The rent doesn’t wait and neither should the council.”

Maine’s minimum wage of $7.50 an hour is 25 cents higher than the federal minimum. Mayor Michael Brennan’s proposal would establish a citywide minimum wage of $9.50 as of Jan. 1, 2016.

That wage would increased to $10.10 the following year and $10.68 the year after. Future increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index.

A Maine People’s Alliance organizer said Brennan was invited to the rally, but could not attend.

Brennan’s proposal has been stuck in the council’s Finance Committee, which has delayed its recommendation to the full council until it can determine the economic impact of the increase.

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The committee was supposed to take up the proposal Thursday, but it was removed from the agenda, so councilors could discuss more pressing budgetary matters.

Advocates organized by the people’s alliance delivered roughly 100 postcards from Portland residents in support of raising the wage to City Councilor Jon Hinck, who said he is pushing the committee to take up the proposal as soon as possible.

The alliance has said it would seek a statewide referendum to raise the state minimum wage, absent legislative action.

The Portland Green Independent Committee on March 5 said it intends to launch a citizens initiative to create a “livable wage” in Maine’s largest city by setting a new minimum at $15 an hour.


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