Airing live at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, The Bottom Line podcast features a wide variety of guests and presents interviews relevant to public policy priorities both in state and nationally, to economic recovery efforts of the pandemic, and to other significant issues of interest to Maine’s business community.

On Tuesday, April 6, Ben Gilman, general counsel for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, delivered testimony before the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology in opposition to LD 920, An Act to Promote Oversight of and Competitive Parity among Video Service Providers.

On Wednesday, April 7, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation tabled LD 229, An Act to Increase Investment Caps in the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program. There are projects that will bring potential jobs and investment waiting for the outcome on this bill.

On Tuesday, April 6, the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business (IDEA) held a work session on LD 730, An Act to Protect Economic Competitiveness in Maine by Extending the End Date for Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) Benefits. In her March 23 testimony strongly supporting LD 730, Linda Caprara, senior government relations specialist for the Maine State Chamber, thanked Sen. Matthea Daughtry (D-Cumberland) for sponsoring this important bill.

In the past week, the Right from the Start Coalition (RFTS) discussed the current operating conditions of Maine’s childcare providers. While 96% of currently licensed childcare and early education providers are open, they are struggling to meet demands due to limited capacity and long wait lists. Of the 300 respondents in a recent survey, 25% have indicated that permanent closure within the next six months is a real threat.

Earlier this week, the Mills Administration posted updates to the following COVID-19 Prevention Checklists: Large Gatherings/Ticketed Events; Organized Racing Events; Town Meetings; and Transportation. The update also establish a Private Events COVID-19 Checklist.