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November 7, 2016

LePage: Questions 2, 4 could bring 10% unemployment

Courtesy / Matthew Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons) Gov. Paul LePage has been busy during the past week when he spoke out publicly against the measures on Tuesday's ballot. Including a visit to the Portland Rotary Club, where he said that the state's unemployment rate could reach 10% if Questions 2 and 4 are approved by Maine's voters.

Ahead of tomorrow’s vote, Gov. Paul LePage spent most of his public time last week speaking out against every measure on Maine’s ballot, including a visit to the Portland Rotary Club, where he told attendees that the Maine Revenue Service is predicting a 10% unemployment rate if Questions 2 and 4, coupled with new overtime rule, go into it effect.

Question 2 would establish a 3% tax on individual Maine taxable income above $200,000 that would be used to create a state fund to support K-12 public education. Question 4 looks to gradually increase Maine’s minimum wage to $12 by 2020, which would then be followed by changes to the consumer price index.

To read more about the upcoming overtime rule that goes into effect Dec. 1, check out Mainebiz’s report on how employers are planning to deal with the changes.

“In fact, the MRS [Maine Revenue Services] is telling me that we're looking at 10% unemployment next year. 10% unemployment," LePage told attendees at his Portland Rotary Club appearance if the ballot questions get the green light and the overtime rule goes into effect, according to Maine Public.

Maine Revenue Service officials didn’t respond to Maine Public's request for comments on LePage’s claim.

Read more

Opponents will lobby for changes to minimum wage law

LePage decries voter-approved measures

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