1. Housing;

2. Transportation;

3. Child care;

4. Health care insurance and out-of-pocket health care expenses;

5. Clothing;

6. Food;

7. Education; and

8. Tax obligations; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Labor shall submit a report to establish a statewide standard for a living wage, including any necessary implementing legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor by December 1, 1999. Based on the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Labor may report out legislation for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve requires the Department of Labor to establish a living wage to replace the minimum wage statewide. The living wage must take into consideration expenditures for an average household in Maine. The Department of Labor shall report back to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature.