I want to publicly thank Gov. Paul LePage for joining the other 17 states that have filed a complaint regarding the new U.S. Department of Labor overtime rule that effectively doubles the amount required to pay salaried-exempt professionals. This new requirement will impact my agency to the point of bankruptcy.

While there exists a need to review minimum wages for salaried-exempt professionals, doubling the requirement is not the answer. The decision impacts nonprofits egregiously, and needs to be challenged. I am not an economist, but I am smart enough to realize that minimum salaries should be based on region, and not pegged on an arbitrary percentage of salaries paid in certain area of the country.

I also thank Sen. Susan Collins for having the courage to enter a bill to address this challenge.

If this overtime rule goes into effect as written, many nonprofits across the state of Maine will go out of business. Thank you Gov. LePage for understanding how this measure hurts business.

Ray Nagel

executive director

Independence Association

Brunswick