Please Join the Employer Coalition to Oppose Costly Overtime Legislation (LD 607)

From the Maine State Chamber's Advocacy Team  |  Monday, January 24, 2022

Please Join the Employer Coalition to Oppose Costly Overtime Legislation (LD 607)     Here is an update on the overtime salary threshold issue that first surfaced at the Statehouse in the 129th Legislature.   On Wednesday, January 19, the Joint Standing Committee on Labor & Housing voted 8-5, along party lines, to report out LD 607, An Act To Restore Overtime Protections for Maine Workers, with an amendment that significantly increases the overtime payment salary threshold to the new rate of 4,500 times the minimum wage: Current Law: 3,000 times the minimum wage Proposed Law: 3,500 times in 2023 4,000 times in 2024 4,500 times in 2025   Using the current minimum wage of $12.75, which is annually indexed, the proposed new salary thresholds would be at least: 2022 3,000 x $12.75 = $38,250 2023 3,500 x $12.75 = $44,625 2024 4,000 x $12.75 = $51,000 2025 4,500 x $12.75 = $57,375 Please note that even with modest annual increases in the minimum wage, the overtime salary threshold would likely exceed $60,000 in 2025.   Maine is one of only six states – Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, New York, and Washington – that have their own salary threshold.  All other states follow the federal level (currently $35,568 but the Biden Administration is expected to pursue rulemaking to set a much higher federal salary threshold).   Below is a list of groups that are opposed to the 2022 overtime legislation, as well as the coalition list from 2020.  Please let us know if your group opposes LD 607.   Thank you! Peter Gore [email] Executive Vice President, Maine State Chamber of Commerce   2022 COALITION TO OPPOSE THE OVERTIME SALARY BILL Associated Builders & Contractors of Maine Associated General Contractors of Maine HospitalityMaine Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Maine Aggregate Association Maine Association of lnsurance Companies Maine Bankers Association Maine Beer & Wine Distributors Maine Beverage Association Maine Energy Marketers Association Maine Farm Bureau Association Maine Forest Products Council Maine lnsurance Agents Association Maine Motor Transport Association Maine Pellet Fuels Association Maine State Chamber of Commerce Maine Tourism Association Maine Youth Camp Association Manufacturers Association of Maine Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce NFIB Maine Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce Retail Association of Maine Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. NOTICE: In an ongoing effort to thwart the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber has researched and tested the links in this document and determined that they are safe.