The COVID-19 Edition for Thursday, August 6, 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!

 

 

CALL TO ACTION | Please Contact Your Congressional Delegation Now!

COVID-19 has presented Maine businesses with numerous challenges during the past few months. As a result, many companies in Maine have gone beyond the scope of their operations to begin producing products that help protect the health and safety of Maine citizens, health care workers, and employees. These businesses have continued to provide these much-needed services to our state during this time of crisis.   The Maine State Chamber of Commerce believes it is only appropriate that we provide these businesses with the ability to continue their efforts, without the threat of unreasonable or unprincipled liability or litigation. Due to the pressing nature of this issue, the Maine State Chamber has put together a statewide coalition, comprised of numerous associations representing thousands of businesses, to address this issue.   Right now, in the next stimulus recovery bill currently being negotiated, Congress is considering adopting time-limited, safe harbor protections for businesses to operate during the pandemic. This is NOT a done deal! Time is of the essence. The Maine State Chamber strongly urges Maine emplolyers to contact your state congressional delegation and urge them to support legislation that adopts time-limited, safe harbor protection for businesses during this pandemic. Phone numbers to the Congressional offices in Washington D.C. are as follows: U.S. Senator Susan Collins: (202) 224-2523 U.S. Senator Angus King: (202) 224-5344 U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree: (202) 225-6116 U.S. Representative Jared Golden: (202) 225-6306 If you have any questions, please contact Linda Caprara, senior government relations specialist for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 106, or by emailing [email protected].

 

Governor Mills Calls for Sweeping Budget Cuts to Offset Pandemic Losses

According to a recent story in the Bangor Daily News, Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday directed most state department heads to identify 10 percent cost reductions in their agencies in her administration's most dramatic response yet to revenue shortfalls caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The sudden severity of the virus-induced recession is prompting an unprecedented response by the state. Maine is facing a projected $1.4 billion revenue shortfall over the next three years due to the pandemic with $524 million falling within the budget year ending June 30, 2021.   The drivers of the state budget shortfall have long been known: Sales and use tax revenue is expected to be down $230 million by the end of the 2021 fiscal year next June, a 6 percent decrease caused by dips in demand and associated economic restrictions from Mills as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The state has a rainy day fund with $258 million and other reserves that could soften the blow. But the shortfall still presents a daunting challenge for lawmakers when they return to Augusta either this year or after the 2020 election with additional relief from Congress uncertain.

 

 

Collins, Romney, McSally Introduce Measure to Extend Unemployment Benefits Through End of Year

As negotiations continue this week on COVID-19 relief, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced a measure on Wednesday, August 5 to extend currently expired unemployment insurance benefits to ensure that unemployed workers receive them through the end of the year. The amendment would allow states flexibility to transition toward wage replacement and would phase in lower payments over the course of the next five months. Last week, the Senators introduced similar legislation that would ensure unemployed workers receiving federal benefits would continue to receive them for the next three months. The amendment would preserve additional unemployment insurance benefits through the end of the year and provide flexibility to states, as they shift toward targeted wage replacement.

 

Golden, Kelly Lead 22 Members to Urge Inclusion of RESTART Act in COVID-19 Relief Package

The RESTART Act is gaining bipartisan momentum as recognition grows that small businesses need relief designed to help them weather ongoing pandemic

On August 4, Congressman Jared Golden and Congressman Mike Kelly led 22 bipartisan House members to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to push for the inclusion of HR 7481, the RESTART Act, in their negotiations for upcoming COVID-19 legislation. Golden and Kelly's bill, introduced in the House last month, builds on the PPP and targets relief funds to small businesses hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The program offers small businesses partially forgivable loans for periods up to one year and provides needed flexibility for small businesses to cover a broad array of expenses, including payroll, mortgage interest, rent and utility payments, and PPE. In their letter, Golden and his colleagues noted that there is support in both parties and in both chambers for extending federal small business relief and for making necessary changes to existing relief programs.

 

	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.

 

Senator King Pushes to Support Rural Economies Amid Coronavirus Relief Negotiations

Joins colleagues to cosponsor bill that would create jobs in rural America supporting conservation and restoring public lands

On August 5, U.S. Senator Angus King joined four of his Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would create thousands of living wage jobs in rural America as these communities continue to grapple with unique and devastating economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act would support rural economies by investing in job training and development, rangeland and working lands conservation programs, and the planting of billions of trees.

 

In Teleconference, King Discusses Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Student Mental Health with Maine School Psychologists

On August 4, U.S. Senator Angus King met with nearly 50 Maine school psychologists via teleconference to discuss the importance of meeting the mental health needs of students - especially given the increased coronavirus-related challenges posed by the upcoming school year. The virtual organization was formed at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic as a way for school psychologists to connect and discuss how best to support remote students and teachers coping with new routines and procedures. The call also underscored Maine's shortage of school psychologists, as current statistics estimate there is roughly one school psychologist for every 3,000 Maine students; in contrast, the national recommended ratio is one school psychologist for every 500 students.

 

Senators Collins, King Announce $2.6 Million to Support Maine Public Health Professionals' Response to COVID-19

On August 4, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has been awarded $2,681,866 to support the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). In cooperation with the CDC, Maine will use this funding to carry out surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory capacity, infection control, mitigation, communications, and other preparedness and response activities.

 

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 [email protected]. For more information or questions, please contact Mark Ellis by emailing [email protected] or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 109.

 

Maine Department of Labor Releases Unemployment Compensation Claims Data for Week Ending August 1

The Maine Department of Labor reported today that, for the week ending August 1, the department recorded about 1,600 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 470 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These claims represent about 1,700 individuals filing an initial claim. About 53,100 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment. In addition, about 26,400 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 August 1, the Maine Department of Labor has paid out over $1.32 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 178,200 initial claims for the state unemployment program and 82,900 initial claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. There have been almost 1.95 million weekly certifications filed.   Fraud Update: The Maine Department of Labor continues its careful review of all claims as it investigates unemployment imposter fraud. During the week ending August 1, the Department cancelled about 530 initial claims and 520 weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent.   Self-Employed and Other PUA Recipients Can Upload Tax Documentation: As announced last week, recipients of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), whose income documentation was not automatically matched to their claim, can upload their tax documents within their ReEmployME account to determine if they are eligible for retroactive benefits. Once redeterminations are made, claimants will receive a new monetary determination letter in the mail stating what their new benefit amount is. If retroactive benefits are due for past weeks, they will be made within 14 days of the claimant receiving their PUA redetermination letter. Claimants have the right to appeal the determination if they believe the information is not accurate.

 

Wind-Energy Firms to Invest $100M in UMaine Aqua Ventus Project

According to a recent Mainebiz story, two firms with global expertise in offshore wind energy are partnering with the University of Maine on its floating offshore wind technology demonstration project. Diamond Offshore Wind and RWE Renewables will invest $100 million to build the project and help demonstrate the technology at full scale, according to a news release Wednesday. The project is projected to produce more than $150 million in total economic output and create hundreds of Maine-based jobs during the construction period. Cianbro Corp., based in Pittsfield, is another partner on the project.   The New England Aqua Ventus project consists of a semi-submersible concrete floating platform that will support a commercial 10- to 12-megawatt wind turbine, which will be deployed in a state-designated area 2 miles south of Monhegan Island and 14 miles from the Maine coast. The purpose of the project is to further evaluate the floating technology, monitor environmental factors and develop best practices for offshore wind to coexist with traditional marine activities. The turbine will supply clean, renewable electricity to the Maine grid. Construction, following all permitting, is expected to be completed in 2023.

 

New Survey Boosts Case for Working Remotely in Vacationland

According to a recent Mainebiz story, the number of people working remotely in Maine for employers based out of state may be larger than most people think. That's one of the conclusions of a new survey by Live+Work in Maine, an advocacy group that plans to use the findings and hundreds of anecdotes gathered to make a stronger case for the pluses of working - and hiring - in Vacationland. The findings are in line with prediction that 25% to 30% of the global workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by 2021 as a growing number of large Maine employers rethink their office setup and real estate footprint post-COVID-19. The survey also found that lots of individuals work in Maine for employers headquartered outside the state, including Google, IBM, online real estate database company Zillow Group Inc., Cambridge, Mass.-based software firm HubSpot Inc., Hartford, Conn.-based research and advisory firm Gartner Inc. and Chicago-based real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

 

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 [email protected].   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 [email protected].   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 [email protected].   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 [email protected], or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.
		Thank you for doing your part!

 

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