The proposal would tie the state's minimum wage to the federal consumer price index.

Former foes on Maine's gay marriage initiative have joined forces in support of a bill that would tie the state's minimum wage to the federal consumer price index.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Maine Women's Lobby are among several groups who say they plan to voice support for the measure at a hearing before the Labor Committee this afternoon.

LD 192, sponsored by Committee chair John Tuttle, a Democratic representative from Sanford, would allow for annual adjustments in the minimum wage based on changes in the consumer price index. The state's minimum wage now stands at $7.50 an hour, 25-cents more than the federal minimum of $7.25.

Other supporters of the measure include the Maine Council of Churches, Maine Equal Justice Partners, the Maine AFL-CIO, the Maine People's Alliance, the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Maine and the Maine Center for Economic Policy.