Gov. John E. Baldacci signed LD 235, which would Maine's minimum wage to $6.75 an hour in October 2006, and $7 an hour in October 2007.
The current minimum wage in Maine is $6.50, $1.35 higher than the federal minimum wage. Maine is among the 17 states having minimum wages above the federal standard of $5.15 an hour.
The last time of minimum wage increase in Maine was two years ago.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that they have sent letters to nearly 14,000 employers, notifying the employers that injury and illness rates at their worksites are higher than average.
OSHA is willing to help the employers fix safety and health hazards. The notification was a proactive step to encourage employers to take steps now to reduce injury and illness rates improve the safety and health environment in their workplaces.