An Act Regarding the Calculation of the Livable Wage
Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1-A is enacted to read:
§ 1-A. Livable wage defined
As used in this Title, unless the context otherwise indicates, "livable wage" means the statewide average livable wage for a 2-parent household with 2 earners and 2 children as reported by the Department of Labor in the most recent annual report required pursuant to section 1405.
Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §1405 is enacted to read:
§ 1405. Livable wage; calculation
By January 30, 2008 and annually thereafter, the department shall report the livable wages calculated pursuant to this subsection to the Legislature.
Sec. 3. Livable wage calculation. In calculating the livable wages pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, section 1405, the Department of Labor shall use the methodology set forth by the Maine Center for Economic Policy in the report entitled "Getting By: Maine Livable Wages in 2004."
summary
This bill directs the Department of Labor to annually calculate the livable wage for various household sizes using the methodology used by the Maine Center for Economic Policy and to report the livable wage calculations to the Legislature. The bill also defines "livable wage." The bill is based on the work of the Study Commission Regarding Livable Wages established pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 128.