As a business owner in Portland, I employ 20-plus teenagers, and I gave many of them their first job.
The new minimum wage in Portland, no matter where it ends up – $10.68 or $15 an hour – will have some unintended consequences for teen workers, especially for those age 14 and 15, who are required to get a work permit. Many business owners will look for more seasoned mature workers and forgo hiring young teens.
I tried to get the City Council to put in a training wage for work-permitted teens in the new ordinance, but they lacked the foresight to make it happen.
The new minimum wage will have winners and losers, but the biggest losers will be hardworking teenagers.
Larry Davis
Hallowell and Peaks Island
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