PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic governor vetoed on Tuesday a bill to establish a minimum hourly wage for agricultural workers that she initially submitted herself. Gov. Janet Mills proposed setting the minimum wage for farm workers at $14.15 per hour. That is the same as the state’s minimum wage for non-tipped employees. The proposal passed the Maine Legislature and appeared headed for enactment. However, Mills vetoed the proposal over changes lawmakers made to the legislation prior to passing it. Mills said lawmakers amended the bill to allow for privately initiated litigation. She said in her veto message that she preferred to allow the Maine Department of Labor to handle possible violations. Mills said in her message that she “did not want to veto this bill” but felt left with no recourse. “I do not believe Maine farmers should face the prospect of privately initiated lawsuits, which would almost certainly lead to losing more farms in the long run,” Mills said. |
Nokia sees doubleReuters photographer wins World Press Photo of the Year with poignant shot from GazaNFL draft has potential to set a record for most players on offense selected in the first roundOne in THREE people will be struck down with 'silent killer' amid huge surge in conditionChinese leaders attend deliberations at annual legislative sessionChampions League semis: Bayern hosts Madrid then Dortmund welcomes PSGIndonesia's Mount Ruang volcano eruptions trigger tsunami alertAlison Hammond's hunky new boyfriend 'quit Russia to avoid callAs the aristoChildren played just yards from where headless torso was found at nature reserve, police reveal