The Daily Edition for Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Welcome to the inaugural edition of our daily Impact newsletter!       As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in navigating the uncertainties ahead, we’ve created a diverse and comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community. If there is anything you need, please reach out. We’re here to help in any way we can!
Governor Mills Orders Further Steps to Protect Public Health    This afternoon, Governor Janet Mills issued an Executive Order mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing, meaning those that allow customer, vendor or other in-person contact. The Order also closes non-essential business sites that require more than ten workers to convene in a space where physical distancing is not possible. Non-essential businesses and operations may continue activities that do not involve these types of in-person contact and convenings, and should facilitate the maximum number of employees working remotely. The Order is effective tomorrow, March 25, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and extends for a period of 14 days through April 8, 2020, at 12:00 a.m.        The Executive Order excludes businesses that provide essential services including, but not limited to: food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair and hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical, behavioral health and health care providers, child care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and animal feed and supply stores, shipping stores, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.       As you'd expect, we have had several questions regarding the executive order. We are working hard to get the right answer for our chamber members and partners. We anticipate having answers to share with you in the next day or so.
Maine State Chamber of Commerce Statement on Governor Mills’ March 24, 2020 Executive Order        “The Maine State Chamber of Commerce appreciates Governor Mills’ leadership on COVID-19 and that the number one priority at this time is safeguarding the public’s health,” said Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “The governor’s executive order is in regards to physical distancing measures for businesses that are public-facing. It changes her previous recommendation to a mandate for a segment of Maine’s business community. Many businesses are already taking actions to protect their employees, customers and vendors. Adhering to the governor’s order will protect everyone’s health, the health of fellow citizens, the health of workers on the frontlines, and the capabilities of our hospital systems to care for those in need. The sooner we take these actions to flatten the curve of COVID-19, the sooner we will get through this and Maine can get back to business.”       Detailed information and resources for employers and employees are regularly updated at www.mainechamber.org/covid19.html.
Changes to the Enforcement of LD 2167, the Plastic Bag Ban       The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recently issued a notice about the recent plastic bag ban, LD 2167. The DEP's notice reads: "In light of the concerns about the use of multi-use bags during the current COVID-19 public helath crisis, the Legislature's response to those concerns in LD 2167, and effects on Department resources, the Department will not be enforcing the statewide restrictions on the use of single-use bags in 38 MRS §1611 until January 15, 2021. As of March 17, 2020, State law preempts municipal regulation of single use bags; no local ordinance requiring a fee for, or otherwise restricting the use of, single use bags is in effect.”       Across the state and nation, many retailers and grocers are following the recent recommendations to avoid using reusable bags during the COVID-19 outbreak in an effort to avoid the spread of the virus.
Maine Revenue Services has updated its telephone Taxpayer Assistance hours, effective Tuesday, March 24       In addition to changes to public building access because of the COVID-19 situation, Maine Revenue Services (MRS), a part of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, has also altered its telephone assistance hours. Effective Tuesday, March 24, and until further notice, telephone assistance hours for taxpayers will be Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., state-recognized holidays excepted.  For reference, the previous hours were 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All MRS telephone and email contact information is available at www.maine.gov/revenue/contact.html.
Federal Tax Filing Changes...       On March 21, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days. The IRS will continue to monitor issues related to the COVID-19 virus, and updated information will be posted on a special coronavirus page.
MaineHealth asks state’s manufacturers to produce medical equipment, supplies       According to the Portland Press Herald, the parent company of Maine Medical Center is exploring whether the state’s manufacturing and construction industries can help fashion and supply the masks, face shields, gloves and protection equipment needed to handle the growing wave of coronavirus testing and treatment expected in the state’s hospitals. MaineHealth reached out over the weekend to the state’s industrial sector, amid a pending national shortage of protective and testing equipment. The move is part of a national trend, as states across the country suffer from a shortage of needed equipment and supplies to fight the viral outbreak. MaineHealth said that given reports of shortages nationwide, and the fact that a disease outbreak of this kind is inherently unpredictable, its has instituted conservation measures and started looking for new sources of supplies.
#PayItForwardMaine       Pay It Forward Maine asks individuals, businesses and organizations to continue supporting local businesses and their employees in our new world of closed storefronts and social distancing. This could be your favorite sandwich shop, your local coffee haunt, your beloved caterer, your hotel conference host, your trusted hair salon. It could be your “usual” restaurant or taproom where you know the servers by name. Maybe it’s your favorite bookstore, live music venue, museum, or theater. It’s also your service providers such as housecleaners, pet sitters, daycares, and of course the medical and emergency personnel who have been on the front lines.
For your Wednesday morning commute…
	For your Wednesday morning commute: Listen to WVOM at 101.3FM Augusta, 103.9FM Bangor, or 95.1FM Rockland. Our President, Dana Connors, is a guest on the “Back to Business” radio show on Wed., March 25 at 7:18 a.m. Hosted by Bangor Region Chamber President Deb Neuman and Ric Tyler from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., tomorrow's episode will focus on COVID-19 resources and support for small businesses. Additional guests include Senator Susan Collins and Senator Angus King, as well as representatives from SBA, FAME, DECD, and DOL.