<![CDATA[Maine State Chamber of Commerce - Blog]]>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:12:09 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[Maine Economic Research Institute releases 2026 Roll Call evaluating legislators' votes on issues impacting Maine's economy]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:55:13 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/maine-economic-research-institute-releases-2026-roll-call-evaluating-legislators-votes-on-issues-impacting-maines-economyThe publication provides an objective analysis of the 132nd Legislature's voting record on business and economic policy

AUGUSTA, Maine (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) — The Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI) today released its 2026 Roll Call, a biannual scorecard and analysis of the 132nd Maine State Legislature's performance and individual legislators' votes on bills and initiatives impacting Maine's businesses, workers and economy. The report provides Maine businesses and voters with an objective look at how legislators voted on issues affecting the state's economic competitiveness and long-term growth.

MERI, a project of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, has been tracking legislative voting records on economic issues since 1999.  During the 2025-2026 legislative session, MERI tracked 54 pieces of legislation affecting innovation, taxation, workforce development, housing, energy, regulation and other issues critical to Maine's economy. MERI supported 20 of the bills included on its final Watch List. Twenty-nine bills received recorded roll-call votes and were used to calculate legislators' scores.

"Maine has big opportunities ahead but it is also facing real challenges. The question I always try to answer: which lawmakers are working to help Maine people, Maine workers, and Maine's economy move forward?" said MERI President Simon West. "Roll Call takes the mystery out of how legislators are impacting Maine's economy and turns it into easy-to-understand information."

The report connects legislators' voting records with many of the economic issues currently facing Maine, including rising energy costs, housing affordability, labor shortages, worker productivity, research and development investment, and Maine's overall competitiveness. It highlights the legislation MERI tracked because of its impact on those economic indicators and assigns legislators scores ranging from 0 to 100 percent based on how their recorded votes aligned with MERI's positions. Legislators earning scores of 90 percent or higher are recognized as MERI MVPs for their consistent support of policies aligned with the organization's economic priorities.

"Every politician says they support a strong economy. However, in the Maine Legislature, that commitment is measured one vote at a time. Every vote contributes to a record that provides a clear picture of whether lawmakers consistently support policies that strengthen Maine's economy. We encourage Maine businesses and voters to review this legislative voting record, recognize those who have consistently supported economic growth, and encourage those with weaker records to do more to advance Maine's economy. Our state desperately needs policies that promote growth, investment, and opportunity now more than ever," said Maine State Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patrick Woodcock.

MERI recognized Senator Bradlee Farrin as the 132nd Legislature's Top Performer after earning a perfect score of 100 percent. The organization also recognized Senator Trey Stewart and Representative Tiffany Roberts as Policy Champions for sponsoring legislation that advanced policies supporting Maine's economic competitiveness.
During each legislative session, MERI tracks legislators' votes on a Watch List of bills identified through an objective review of legislation affecting Maine's economy. Bills that receive recorded roll-call votes are evaluated after the legislative session concludes, and legislators receive scores based on whether their votes aligned with MERI's positions on those measures.

Since 1999, MERI has provided objective, research-based analyses of state legislators' votes that impact Maine's business community, economy and economic competitiveness. Legislation selected for tracking is driven by the issues Maine employers of all sizes and sectors identify as critical to their success and to growing Maine's economy.
MERI uses criteria from the Maine Economic Vision 2035 and Measures of Growth reports and takes into account Maine's current and future needs in areas including educational attainment, energy costs, wage growth, tax burden, research and development investment, talent attraction, housing and workforce availability to provide objective and transparent ratings of legislators' support for policies that strengthen Maine's economy and improve the state's long-term competitiveness.

The full 2026 Roll Call report includes legislator scores and rankings, economic indicators, MERI's legislative Watch List and descriptions of the legislation used in the scoring process. The report is available at www.me-ri.org/roll-call. The complete Watch List is available at www.me-ri.org/watch-list.
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About the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI):
MERI is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization governed by a board of directors that includes Maine business owners, CEOs, and representatives from a diverse group of Maine employers. MERI’s board, advisors, and staff are focused on creating a healthy Maine economy, strong businesses, and quality jobs. MERI is affiliated with 10 statewide business associations and is administered by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
]]><![CDATA[Maine State Chamber of Commerce Endorses Shanna Cox and William St. Michel in Legislative Primary Races]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:38:41 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/maine-state-chamber-of-commerce-endorses-shanna-cox-and-william-st-michel-in-legislative-primary-racesThe Maine State Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its endorsements of two candidates seeking election to the Maine Legislature:
  • Shanna Cox (D-Lewiston) in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 21
  • William St. Michel (R-Durham) in the Republican Primary for House District 98

As part of its 2026 election engagement efforts, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce distributed a candidate questionnaire to legislative candidates in selected primary races. The questionnaire focused on key issues affecting Maine's economy, including workforce, housing, energy, innovation, taxation, and the state's overall business climate.
The endorsements follow a review of candidate questionnaire responses, as well as consideration of each candidate’s personal experience and commitment to engaging with Maine’s business community.

Shanna Cox brings experience in economic and community development, as well as small business ownership, to her candidacy for the Maine State Senate. As a former president and CEO of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, she worked closely with employers across the district and developed an understanding of the challenges facing Maine businesses and communities.

William “Bill” St. Michel is a retired small business owner with a background in the trades and property management. He also dedicated 25 years to public service as Chief of the Durham Fire Department. Through his experience in business and public service, he understands how state policies, including regulatory and energy costs, affect Maine employers, employees, and families.

"The stakes are high for Maine’s economy, and the next Legislature will shape the underlying policies that facilitate or impede its economic growth in the years to come,” said Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “It is critical that this state address our economic headwinds and confront energy affordability, housing availability, workforce development, and permitting and improve Maine's overall business climate. We believe these candidates are well positioned to support policies that will strengthen Maine's economy and create greater opportunities for Maine people and businesses, and we encourage our members and Maine voters to support these qualified candidates."

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce Board last year adopted a political engagement plan to make endorsements in state legislative races and engage through independent expenditures to support a Legislature that supports economic growth and economic opportunity.  As part of that effort, the Chamber, with partners, has established the “Mainers for Economic Opportunity PAC.” The Chamber, through the Mainers for Economic Opportunity PAC, has made these first endorsements with Shanna Cox and William St. Michel, and looks forward to continuing its work with legislators who are committed to fostering economic opportunity throughout the state.

About the Mainers for Economic Opportunity PAC
The Mainers for Economic Opportunity PAC was established to support candidates who demonstrate a commitment to policies that support growing Maine’s economy.

About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, please visit www.mainechamber.org.
]]><![CDATA[Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine Development Foundation Release Maine Economic Vision 2035]]>Tue, 12 May 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/maine-state-chamber-of-commerce-and-maine-development-foundation-release-maine-economic-vision-2035Report outlines long-term economic priorities and policy goals for Maine’s future

​SACO, Maine (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) – The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine Development Foundation today released Maine Economic Vision 2035, a new long-term economic roadmap outlining key goals and policy priorities to strengthen Maine’s competitiveness, support workforce and wage growth, increase investment and productivity, and improve household affordability across the state.

Business leaders gathered Tuesday morning at the Saco Transportation Center to discuss the long-term economic conditions necessary to support growth, investment, workforce development, and affordability in Maine.

Attendees heard remarks from Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and Alex MacPhail, executive director of the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by a detailed discussion of the report’s findings and long-term economic priorities from Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce; Yellow Light Breen, president and CEO of Maine Development Foundation; and Heather Johnson, president and CEO of Waypoint Collaborative and former commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Maine Economic Vision 2035 outlines goals in four interconnected areas critical to Maine’s long-term economic success:
  1. Business competitiveness
  2. Workforce and wages
  3. Productivity, research, and private investment
  4. Household affordability

The report is grounded in employer outreach, economic research, and stakeholder engagement from across the state. It highlights workforce shortages, housing affordability challenges, rising health care and energy costs, limited productivity growth, and increasing competition for talent and investment among the most significant challenges facing Maine’s economy.

Maine Economic Vision 2035 emphasizes the importance of long-term policy alignment and predictability in supporting economic growth and attracting private investment. It also highlights the connection between workforce development, housing affordability, innovation, and business competitiveness in supporting Maine’s long-term prosperity.

“Maine is rapidly returning to an era of under-performance of the national economy and it is time to focus on data-informed public policy to promote economic growth,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “Maine Economic Vision 2035 is intended not simply to identify issues, but to outline actionable steps to set Maine on a trajectory of long-term competitiveness, innovation, and opportunity.”

“This work is aspirational, ambitious, holistic, interconnected,” said Yellow Light Breen, president and CEO of Maine Development Foundation.  “The report reflects both the opportunities and challenges of a changing economy and offers recommendations to strengthen long-term economic competitiveness and quality of life in Maine.”

“Our findings tell us something really significant. Maine businesses want to be here, Maine investors want to be part of the Maine economy,” said Heather Johnson, president and CEO of Waypoint Collaborative and former commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. “It’s really time for us to build confidence and a willingness to build the right conditions for their success.”

Maine Economic Vision 2035 will also help frame discussion for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and NEWS CENTER Maine gubernatorial debates airing May 13 and 14, with questions focused on the economic challenges and opportunities identified in the report.
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The full Maine Economic Vision 2035 report and executive summary are available at https://maineeconomicvision2035.com/.]]><![CDATA[Chamber Statement on Data Center Veto]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:10:56 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/chamber-statement-on-data-center-vetoThe Maine State Chamber of Commerce issued a statement today regarding the Governor's veto of LD 307

“The Maine State Chamber of Commerce appreciates the Governor’s decision to listen to the town of Jay and the community members who have voiced support for this economic development opportunity and to veto the proposed data center moratorium legislation.

For communities seeking investment, jobs, and renewed tax base growth, projects like this can represent meaningful opportunity.

While this veto allows this project to move forward, the Chamber welcomes the opportunity to work with the administration and Legislature on best practices for the development of data centers in Maine, including the management of peak energy demand, utilizing onsite energy generation, and maximizing benefits to all electric ratepayers.” 
]]><![CDATA[Maine State Chamber Statement on Outcome of LD1822 Data Privacy Bill]]>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:48:50 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/maine-state-chamber-statement-on-outcome-of-ld1822-data-privacy-billAUGUSTA, Maine (April 10, 2026) – Absent a national policy, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce has consistently called for a balanced, uniform approach to data privacy—one that provides consumers with clear protections and input on how their data is used, while ensuring Maine employers remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy. Despite legislation brought forward that would have aligned Maine with seventeen other states’ data privacy laws, the Legislature instead advanced a far more restrictive bill—LD 1822: An Act to Enact the Maine Online Data Privacy Act—which would have made Maine an outlier by significantly limiting businesses’ ability to grow their customer base through cost-effective digital marketing, now a cornerstone of modern advertising.
 
In a rare and powerful show of unity, nearly 400 Maine businesses representing tourism, hospitality, retail, arts, and sports spoke out in opposition to LD 1822, raising concerns about the real-world impact the proposal would have on their operations and the broader economy. These businesses were joined by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, HospitalityMaine, Maine Tourism Association, Retail Association of Maine, and regional chambers across the state.
 
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce thanks the bipartisan group of legislators who listened to the employers and employees in their districts, took the time to understand how Maine businesses reach new customers, and ultimately stood with the business community in opposing LD 1822. Their decision protects the ability of businesses to innovate, grow, and compete—not just here in Maine, but in the global economy.
 
The Maine State Chamber remains committed to working with legislators and partners to advance a balanced data privacy law in the future.
]]><![CDATA[Letter to Legislature Regarding Supplemental Budget Proposal]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:56:42 GMThttps://www.mainechamber.org/blog/letter-to-legislature-regarding-supplemental-budget-proposalThe letter below was sent to the Maine State Legislature last evening as the House took up the supplemental budget bill. 
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