New weekly livestream, The Maine Take with Dana Connors, gets a strong start with special guests U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King

On Monday, February 1, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce launched a livestream program, The Maine Take with Dana Connors. The weekly public affairs and current events show got off to a strong start in its first episode with special guest, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who discussed the Paycheck Protection Program she co-authored and COVID-19 stimulus proposals. Her appearance on The Maine Take came just hours before she and a group of her Senate colleagues met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Oval Office to discuss the White House stimulus package and the alternative proposal she and her colleagues had developed.

    U.S. Senator Angus King joined Dana Connors for Episode 2 on Monday, February 8. Discussion topics included the latest stimulus efforts in Washington, the impeachment of former President Donald Trump and the U.S. Capitol insurrection in January, as well as new economic opportunities Senator King sees for Maine due to warming Arctic waters and the resulting opening of transit and shipping in the coming years.
    Each week on The Maine Take, the Chamber’s Advocacy Team shares with viewers an inside look at what is happening in state government and the Legislature on priority business and economic issues, including broadband expansion, the state budget, labor issues and more. The top focus currently is state tax conformity on Paycheck Protection Program loans. On February 8, the Chamber was able to share advance news on forthcoming compromise proposals on The Maine Take.
    Connors closed both episodes with “The Maine Takeaway,” reflecting on how the pandemic has reinforced that working together on any issue requires listening, learning, and not taking for granted the quality of life we enjoy in Maine. Whatever challenges we are experiencing today and with those that lie ahead, by working together in the tough times, staying together, and appreciating all we have, including strong, committed, and accessible leaders here in Maine and in Washington, there is great hope for the future.
    The Maine Take with Dana Connors livestreams on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to approximately 3:40 p.m. on the Chamber’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/MaineChamber/live. In the event of a Monday holiday, the program will livestream at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information or to watch previous episodes of The Maine Take, please visit www.mainechamber.org/mainetake.html.