Rep. Arata's News from the Legislature

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Town of New Gloucester

385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260

(207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)

Town of Poland

1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274

(207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)

Poland

Maine’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022

Pursuant to Maine law (Title 26, §664), effective January 1, 2022, the State minimum wage will increase from $12.15 to $12.75 per hour, based on data recently made available by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Maine law requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost of living index (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.

In addition to the minimum wage, the new “tip wage,” or service employee minimum wage, in 2022 will be $6.38 per hour.  This means that service employees must receive at least a direct cash wage of $6.38 per hour from the employer.  The employer must be able to show that the employee receives at least the minimum wage of $12.75 per hour when the direct wage and tips are combined at the end of the week.  More information on the service employee minimum wage can be found here.

The minimum salary threshold for exempting a worker from overtime pay is also based on the minimum wage.  Starting January 1, 2022, the new minimum salary threshold is $735.59 per week, or $38,251 per year.  This is only one of the factors used in determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or State law.  An individual can earn more than the minimum salary threshold and still be eligible for overtime.  The duties of each worker must be considered as part of this analysis.  The law can be found here.  More information can be found here.

The Department’s Bureau of Labor Standards is responsible for enforcing the State’s minimum wage and overtime statutes, as well as ensuring that both workers and employers understand and comply with the law.

If you are a worker who feels that your rights have been violated, or an employer who has questions or would like to know more about the Department’s free trainings, please call (207) 623-7900, email mdol@maine.gov, or visit online here.

 

Apportionment Commission Update

State lawmakers are set to convene this week to vote on new congressional and State legislative district maps.  Upon the release of 2020 census data, Maine began the process of drafting and enacting these maps.

Maine's two United States representatives and 189 State legislators are all elected from political divisions called districts.  District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census.  Districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

For additional details, visit the Apportionment Commission's Web site found here.

 

Homeless Veterans’ Mobile Stand Downs 2021

Please help spread the word about the upcoming Homeless Veterans’ Mobile Stand Downs, as efforts are made to reach homeless veterans and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Veterans in need of assistance are encouraged to attend and will receive cold weather supplies, non-perishable food items, medical checkups, connection to resources, and care packages.  The locations, dates, and times of the three planned events are as follows.

  • Caribou Stand Down – Tuesday, October 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. -- Caribou Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), 163 Van Buren Rd., Caribou
  • Bangor Stand Down – Tuesday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. -- Bangor Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), 35 State Hospital St., Bangor
  • Lewiston Stand Down – Tuesday, October 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. -- Lewiston Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), 15 Challenger Dr., Lewiston

For more information, or to reserve a time slot, call (207) 430-6035 or email trisha.canning@maine.gov.  A reservation is not required, but having one will speed you through the stations.

 

Autumn Equinox Ushers in the Fall Colors

Maine's leaf-bearing trees will show off their array of fall colors in the upcoming weeks.  The second 2021 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) reports low color change (less than 30 percent) throughout most of the State.  As of September 22, 2021, Maine Forest Rangers in northern Maine report less than 50 percent color change, with low leaf drop.

Typically, northern Maine reach peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October.  The rest of the State's progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October.  Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.

 As leaf peepers begin to travel throughout the State to witness the changing colors, people are encouraged to keep in mind that visitors will be sharing the woods with moose, bird, and bear hunters when visiting northern Maine within the next few weeks.  It is important to Look Out for ME by being safe, aware of one's surroundings, and respectful to the land, other people, and animals.

For fall foliage trip ideas, click here.

Autumn enthusiasts can visit the State’s official foliage Web site to sign up to receive weekly reports by email.  Photos from throughout the State as the progression of color begins can also be shared.  Maine fall foliage information can likewise be found on Facebook, which includes statewide events throughout the foliage season, while the related Instagram account (@mainefoliage) also features colorful fall shots.

 

Maine Collecting Unwanted Pesticides Free of Charge

The Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program protects Maine's natural resources and prevents agriculture pollution by promoting the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused, or unwanted pesticides. The Program is made possible by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  The Program is open to homeowners and family-owned farms who are encouraged to bring unwanted pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and similar products used in agricultural production or around the home to collection sites in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland.  Pre-registration is required by October 8 to participate, drop-ins are not permitted, and drop-off locations will be announced soon.

Details, including registering and supplying the obsolete pesticides inventory form, a list of banned and unusable products, storage and transportation guidelines, and other disposal options, can be found on the BPC Web site.

 About Maine's Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program

Removal of obsolete and unwanted pesticides is important for protecting the public, wildlife, and environmental health.  Improper pesticide handling and disposal, such as placing it in the trash or pouring it down the drain, can contaminate land and water resources.  The Maine Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program ensures that they are handled properly.  Since 1982, the Program has saved more than 250,000 lbs. of pesticides from entering the waste stream.  Collected pesticides are taken to licensed, out-of-state disposal facilities by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.  Learn more at thinkfirstspraylast.org.