A report recently released by Oxfam America shows that 112,000 workers in Maine, 20.2% of workers, would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10–the Democrats’ proposed minimum wage hike which has stirred up debate about the impacts such as raise would have on employment.
The U.S. average for total workers benefiting from a $10.10 minimum was 19.3% of all workers, and 21.7% of all female workers, and 17% of all male workers.
Statewide, a $10.10 minimum wage would impact 68,000 women workers, 23.4% of all female workers, and 45,000 men, 16.7% of all male workers. The report also looks at the impact of the $10.10 minimum wage by Congressional District. The 1st District would experience some benefit, with 52,000 workers, 17.5% of workers, would benefit, with 30,000 women, 19.8% of all female workers, and 22,000 men, 15.1% of all male workers, benefiting from the increase; all below the national averages. Meanwhile, workers in the more northern part of the state would gain greater benefit from the raise. 60,000 workers in the 2nd District, 23.2% of workers in that District, would benefit, with 37,000 women, 27.6% of all female workers, and 23,000 men, 18.5% of all male workers benefiting; all above the national averages.
Overall, the report found that Maine would have the 23rd highest percentage of workers in the nation benefiting from a $10.10 minimum wage increase, with Alaska having the lowest percentage at 13.2%. The 1st District would have the 291st highest percentage of workers, while the 2nd District would have the 82nd highest percentage.
Furthermore, the percentage of Maine households living below 200% of the poverty line, 228,000 households representing 24.2% of all Maine households, was below the national average, 27.3%. However, the percentage of Maine working households receiving foodstamps, 140,000 households representing 14.8% of all households exceeded the national average of 13.4%.
Regionally, Maine would have the highest percentage of workers benefiting from a $10.10 minimum wage. The other New England states had the following percentages–Vermont 18.9%, Rhode Island 16.9%, New Hampshire 15%, Connecticut 13.8%, and Massachusetts 13.7%. Further, Maine has the highest poverty rate in New England at 7.2%, slightly above Rhode Island at 7.1%, and above Massachusetts at 5.5%, Vermont at 5.4%, Connecticut at 5.3%, and New Hampshire at 4.0%.
Via the Wall Street Journal: