The COVID-19 Edition for Thursday, July 30, 2020

To view this edition of Impact online, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your COVID-19 Impact newsletter!
As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you several times each week 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 have 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.
Do you have a question? ASK THE EXPERTS.	We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

Senators Collins, Romney, McSally Introduce Extension to Stop Disruption of Unemployment Benefits

With federal unemployment insurance benefits expiring this week amid negotiations on COVID-19 relief, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) today introduced legislation that would prevent Americans from experiencing a sudden lapse in their supplemental benefits. The CARES Act authorized an additional $600 per week in federal unemployment payments, on top of state unemployment benefits. Today's legislation would incentivize states to improve outdated unemployment insurance programs to better handle wage replacement. It would also ensure unemployed workers receiving supplemental federal benefits will maintain an average of $400 per week for the next three months as those payments are phased down.   The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2020 would stop the impending unemployment insurance benefit disruption by allowing states to choose one of two options for UI - immediate 80 percent wage replacement or a declining amount of $500 per week in August, $400 per week in September, or $300 per week in October - and providing an additional $2 billion for states to update their UI systems to better handle targeted wage replacement.

 

	BSOOB Transit Joins Maine State Chamber's "This is ME Counting on YOU" Public Awareness Campaign in Saco
	Campaign Encourages Mainers and Visitors to Do Their Part to Stop the Spread of COVID-19   The Maine State Chamber of Commerce was at the Saco Transportation Center on Friday, July 24 as part of the Maine State Chamber's "This is ME Counting on YOU" public awareness campaign encouraging Mainers and visitors to our state to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit's Craig Pendleton were on hand to talk about how following recommended health and safety guidelines, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, will help keep people safe, and ensure Maine's economy reopens and recovers safely and successfully.
"Maine businesses and organizations like BSOOB Transit take very seriously their role in keeping their employees and patrons safe and preventing the spread or a resurgence of COVID-19," said Dana Connors, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "We hope 'This is ME Counting on YOU' serves as a reminder that every one of us also has an important role to play in defeating COVID-19. We are all in this together and are counting on each other to act safely and responsibly. That is the best way we can support one another, our communities, and Maine businesses and employers so our economy can get back on track."   "As an organization that interfaces with the public every day, we are committed to making sure our transportation centers, buses and trolleys are safe for our riders and employees," said Craig Pendleton, Director of External Affairs at Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit. "We have implemented many more safety measures due to the challenges COVID-19 has presented. We appreciate the support of the Maine State Chamber's 'This is ME Counting on YOU' campaign to help us keep our area residents and visitors safe by providing important reminders of responsible health practices in our public spaces."   "This ME Counting on YOU" provides free resources on its website, www.MeCountingOnYou.org, including floor stickers and printable posters for businesses and organizations to place in their establishments and work places reminding people to practice social distancing, wear masks, and more. The campaign's PSA is airing on Maine Public and cable television stations across Maine. The initiative is also on Facebook with the hashtag #MECountingOnYou.   The Maine State Chamber is working with its members, local and regional chambers of commerce, and other organizations throughout Maine to spread the "This is ME Counting on YOU" message. For more information about "This ME Counting on YOU," please visit www.MeCountingOnYou.org. For more information about BSOOB Transit, please visit www.BSOOBTransit.org.

 

Governor Mills Issues Statement on Revenue Forecasting Committee Projections

On July 29, the Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) projected that State General Fund revenues will decrease by $524 million in Fiscal Year 2021, $434 million in Fiscal Year 2022, and $449 in Fiscal Year 2023 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Mills issued a statement in response.   The Governor's instruction to all departments of state government to apply an emergency-basis scrutiny to spending and hiring remains in place, including freezing access to all unencumbered balances for Fiscal Year 2020. The Budget Stabilization Fund stands at $258 million, which is an increase of more than $50 million since the Governor took office.   The Administration has made no decision about another supplemental budget at this point. The Governor will review revenue reports, examine revenue forecasts, evaluate potential expenditure reduction options, monitor federal efforts to provide additional aid and flexibility to state governments and will confer with legislative leaders about next steps.   Governor Mills continues to urge Congress to provide additional direct support to states as well as flexibility with funding already authorized in order to continue to protect the public health and safety and to spearhead an economic recovery. Over the past several months, Governor Mill has joined other Governors through the National Governors Association in repeatedly calling on Congress to provide robust and flexible federal relief to offset expected revenue reductions that all states are seeing. Earlier today, Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Chair and Vice Chair of the NGA, respectively, issued a statement regarding the need for federal aid to states.

 

 

Mills Administration Announces Further Investment to Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19

The Mills Administration announced today an investment of $1 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to significantly and quickly expand services to help reduce the disproportionately large racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 in Maine. This funding through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will expand education, prevention, and eligibility for services currently supported by the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Generally, it will include individuals referred to DHHS by communities at elevated risk of COVID-19. It will support temporary wrap-around services such as food as well as referrals to existing child care, health care, and income support programs. This funding will be provided directly to community-based organizations that are run and led by the communities they serve. The Department will issue an application for the "2020 COVID Health Equity Improvement Initiative" next week, after additional consultation with community-based organizations on its design.   The racial and ethnic disparities related to COVID-19 in Maine are profound, with the rate of cases among minority populations in Maine indicating a higher, crisis-level inequality in Maine communities. For example, Black and African American Mainers represent about 1.4 percent of the total population in Maine, but over 22 percent of the COVID-19 cases in Maine where race is known. Hispanic or Latinx Mainers represent about 1.7 percent of the population in Maine, but 3.9 percent of cases where the ethnicity is known. To date, the Department has undertaken a number of actions to address disparities in COVID-19. More work by the Department is needed to address COVID disparities as well as the underlying causes of inequity that pre-date COVID-19.

 

Mills Administration Adjusts Outdoor Gathering Limit

Yesterday afternoon, the Mills Administration announced an adjustment to the limit on large gatherings for outdoor activities from 50 to 100 people, effective August 1, 2020. Under the increase, however, no more than 5 people are allowed per 1,000 square feet in order to maintain appropriate physical distancing. The gathering limit for indoor activities remains unchanged at 50 people. The announcement follows the release of, but does not impact, an updated COVID-19 Prevention Checklist last Friday by the Department of Economic and Community Development for seated outdoor spectator events, such as professional sports or concerts. The updated checklist allows for up to four zones of 50 people in each zone. Zones must be separated with physical barriers to prevent intermingling between zones, have separate entrances and exits, bathrooms, and concessions.

 

Maine Receives $17 Million in CARES Funding to Pilot Remote Learning Models

The federal grant funding announced this week as part of the CARES Act will go to developing and implementing new remote learning models.   Today, the Portland Press Herald reported that Maine has received an additional $17 million in federal coronavirus relief aid to be used to design and pilot new models of remote learning. The $16.9 million award, announced this week by the U.S. Department of Education, is made possible through a Rethink K-12 Education Models grant competition launched by the department in April and funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. Maine is one of 11 states to receive the grant funding and will be using it for professional development, a pilot program and support for schools around remote learning models.

 

New Jobless Claims in Maine Fall Again, But Tens of Thousands Still Rely on Aid   More than 87,000 continuing claims for assistance were filed last week, as supplemental benefits to support the economy and keep people out of poverty lapse.
The Portland Press Herald reported today that more than 2,000 Mainers filed new claims for jobless assistance last week as additional federal benefits expire. The $600 had been helping out-of-work people for months. About 2,100 people filed initial unemployment claims last week, the lowest weekly number since tens of thousands were thrown out of work because of the pandemic five months ago.   While new claims are low, the number of people continuing to receive weekly benefits remains at a historic high. More than 87,000 weekly certifications for state and federal unemployment benefits were filed last week, slightly more than the week prior. The thousands of people who filed new benefits this week are entering a system without an extra $600 per week benefit that has been available since April. That money has been credited with keeping people out of poverty during the pandemic and associated economic crisis, but ends on Friday. In Maine, last week was the final period for payments that included the added $600.
Right now, there is no replacement for the supplemental assistance. The Democrat-led House passed the HEROES Act in May that included an extra $600 though the beginning of next year. Senate Republicans and the White House this week proposed a relief plan that would cut the payments to $200 a week until states could implement a payment system that would replace 70 percent of a worker's previous income. The Maine Department of Labor has said setting up a system that requires individual income records could take months.

 

Important Updates from the Maine Department of Labor

Claims for Unemployment Compensation, Week Ending July 25: For the week ending July 25, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 2,000 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 600 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These claims represent about 2,100 individuals filing an initial claim. About 61,200 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment. In addition, about 26,000 weekly certifications were filed under PUA. Weekly certifications must be filed by claimants every week in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits. Between March 15 and July 25, the Maine Department of Labor has paid out over $1.24 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits. By comparison, the Department paid out less than $74 million in unemployment benefits in all of 2019. The Department has handled approximately 176,600 initial claims for the state unemployment program and 82,500 initial claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. There have been almost 1.87 million weekly certifications filed. Claims data is preliminary and subject to revision. Claims data can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/ui.html   Fraud Update: The Maine Department of Labor continues its careful review of all claims as it investigates unemployment imposter fraud. During the week ending July 25, the Department cancelled about 670 initial claims and 260 weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent. The Department encourages anyone who believes that someone else has used their or their employees personal information to file a fraudulent unemployment application to notify the Department immediately using this form.   Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program: Eligibility for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, or the additional weekly $600, ended with benefit payments for the week ending July 25, 2020. This means that most people, depending on when they file their weekly certification for the week ending July 25, would receive that last payment during the week of July 26-August 1. This is a federal program, and the Department is monitoring Congressional action for any possible extensions or changes to the FPUC program.   PUA Benefits: The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is continuing to update the weekly benefit payments for people currently enrolled in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. This involves matching current tax information to individual claims to pay Maine people their full benefit, retroactive to the date of their PUA eligibility. Launched in Maine in May, PUA is one of three new federal unemployment programs created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers workers previously ineligible for unemployment, such as the self-employed and gig workers, and is available through the week ending December 26, 2020. To expedite payments to Mainers during COVID-19, MDOL approved the minimum state PUA benefit of $172 per week for all those eligible for PUA, pending the matching of updated tax information. The PUA minimum benefit amount is federally required to be half of the state's average weekly benefit. Self-employed individuals whose net income, or other PUA recipients whose gross wages in 2019 were below $15,224 will continue to receive the minimum benefit of $172 a week, and do not need to take any action other than continuing to file weekly certifications. Individuals with higher earnings are eligible for a maximum benefit under the PUA program of up to $445 or $462 per week, depending on whether their initial claim was filed before or after June 1.   Work Search and Maine JobLink Workshops: Under Maine law, all unemployment claimants are required to show that they are actively seeking work in order to receive benefits. This requirement had been temporarily waived at the start of the pandemic. Starting with the weekly certification for the week beginning August 9, all claimants will need to either provide information on their work search activity, or attest that they are self-employed or still connected with their employer. Prior to the requirement being reinstated, the Department will post screenshots of what the additional weekly certification page will look like on its website and identify the questions claimants will be required to answer. All unemployment claimants required to actively search for work must create an account on the Maine JobLink. JobLink is a free job search tool, where claimants can upload their resumes and employers can post their job openings. In anticipation of this requirement, MDOL is holding virtual JobLink workshops twice a week, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These workshops walk participants through how to create and use a JobLink account. Those who are still connected to an employer are not required to actively search for other work until after September 5. However, they must still be able and available to work for that employer if recalled. If an employer has offered work to an employee and that employee refused the work, the employer should notify the Department. A fact-finding would be held to determine if there was good cause for the refusal of work. If no good cause is determined, then the claimant would no longer be eligible for unemployment benefits.

 

Store Owners: Sell Maine200 Products on Site

Store owners and vendors can purchase Maine200 products in bulk from Maine200's merchandiser, The Advertising Specialists of Maine, for resale to the public in your store/physical location. Maine200 promotional materials are available for download and printing to make your customers aware that you are selling official Maine200 merchandise. Retail sites that order Maine200 items wholesale from TASOM for resale will receive a Maine200 "Official Retailer" window decal with their order. Others who wish to have their store recognized as an official retailer should email info@Maine200.org for a window decal. For more information on products and wholesale rates, please contact Stefani Berkey by calling (207) 990-6022 or by emailing Maine200Wholesale@TASOM.com.

 

Use the Maine State Chamber's Blog and Daily Impact to Tell Your Story!

Numerous Maine companies are stepping up or pivoting nimbly, as Maine people resourcefully address the challenges of this pandemic. Share your perspective and experience with us and with the rest of the business community. How are you facing and overcoming the challenges posed by this pandemic? What are you and your employees doing in this dramatically different economy? Tell us about the innovations your company or employees are making or ways you have adapted your company to meet your customers' needs.   Each blog entry should be 300 to 500 words. Join us in creating a written history of the business community's resilience and innovation during this extraordinary time. Please submit your entries to blog@mainechamber.org. For more information or questions, please contact Mark Ellis by emailing mellis@mainechamber.org or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 109.

 

Next week, Northern Light Health's Zoom Safe Return to Business Conference Hosts a Conversation with Dr. Nirav Shah

Join Northern Light Health next week for a COVID-19 conversation with Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine CDC. Topics will include data benchmarks; steps to take as a family; what's new with testing/vaccine potential; and, facts versus fiction. Be sure to register so you don't miss out. Also, if you've missed any of Northern Light Health's Zoom Safe Return to Business Conferences, you can access materials online here.

 

	Thursday, August 13 | The Bottom Line Podcast
	with Maine Community College System President, David Daigler
David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS), will be our special guest on The Bottom Line podcast. He will join The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss MCCS' plans for providing safe, in-person training on campus for students that need hands-on instruction and robust remote learning for other students. In both scenarios, Maine's community colleges are making sure students are getting critical training for the state's workforce needs.   To listen live, please visit Williams Broadcasting and scroll down to "Listen Online" at the bottom of the homepage. To listen to the archived recordings, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber's website. In addition, The Bottom Line podcast can be heard on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com.

 

Providing Books to Maine Students

Maine educators were recently surveyed about critical needs of their students. Books were highlighted as a top priority for students of all ages. Supporting reading is essential for students to continue to thrive in schools. Making certain that our students, particularly our youngest readers, have easy access to books during the end of the school year and throughout the summer is crucial for preventing summer slide.   Even with yeoman-like efforts by Maine teachers and a hands-on approach from the Maine Department of Education to ensure all Maine students have been able to continue learning remotely during the pandemic, we know that learning over these past few months has inevitably been disrupted. In addition to the school year disruption, student achievement often widens during the summer, an outcome referred to as summer slide. Summer slide accounts for as much as 85 percent of the reading achievement gap between lower income students and their middle- and upper-income peers. Providing students with appropriate books will help address this challenge. Not only does summer reading enable students to continue practicing foundational skills, but it opens the world to students through stories and knowledge building around topics of interest. We need your help to ensure students across our 16 counties have access to books, an essential commodity.   Here are a few ways you can support Maine students:   1 2020 Maine Books Challenge: Educate Maine is leading this initiative to provide students with books while supporting local bookstores. You can purchase an online or physical gift card at one of Maine's independent bookstores. Every $10 donation provides a book for a Maine student. Every donation will be matched by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein up to $5,000. Teachers across Maine will help coordinate book distribution to students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Katherine at katherine@educatemaine.org.   2 Scholastic Books: This company has offered significant discounts to help get books to Maine students. For example, a $1,000 donation can support 300 books for 100 students. A $5,000 donation can support 1,500 books for 500 students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.   3 Community Book Donations: Gently used books are also needed across Maine. We are seeking community drop off spots at local employers throughout the 16 counties. If your business is interested in becoming a location for books to be collected, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.   Books will be distributed to students directly through their schools and at local meal sites throughout the summer. Additional information about summer literacy initiatives can be found here. Thank you for supporting Maine students.

 

 

To advertise in the COVID-19 Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.
		Thank you for doing your part!

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.

NOTICE: In an ongoing effort to thwart the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber has researched and tested the links in this document and determined that they are safe.