"Portland Workers Receive Hazard Pay as Maine Braces for Historic Coastal Flooding and Storm Damage"

Gov. Janet Mills has declared a state of civil emergency in Maine's coastal counties, triggering a hazard pay provision in Portland that requires employers to pay their workers at least $22.50 per hour for the duration of the declaration, which is expected to last at least one week. This provision is part of the city's minimum wage ordinance and applies to non-remote workers during states of emergency. The order allows the state to seek federal disaster relief funds to assist communities affected by recent rain and flooding.