The latest edition of our Impact newsletter is now available!
Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce | January 14, 2021
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To view or print the PDF, please click on the image below.           Governor Mills releases biennial budget Budget is balanced without new tax increases   On Friday, January 8, Governor Janet Mills released her biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023, also known as the Part A and Part B Budget. The good news for Maine’s business community is that Gov. Mills has balanced this budget without raising taxes. There has been widespread fear during the past several months that, because of originally reported $800-plus million structural gap for FY 2022-2023 and the originally-reported $500 million structural gap for FY 2021, potential tax increases may be used to fill the gaps. Those figures have since be reduced significantly due to revenue re-projections by the Revenue Forecasting Commission, to roughly $395 million for the biennial budget and roughly $255 million for the supplemental budget required to balance this year’s budget. Revenues at the state level exceeded expectations in the areas of sales and use taxes and individual income tax, even though revenues were significantly lower in the areas of tourism with meals and lodging, most notably. Read more...
President's Message: “Maine’s fortitude, resilience, and character offer great advantages as we work toward economic recovery…” As we start this new year, all of us at the Maine State Chamber send you best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2021. The year 2020 presented unprecedented hardships and uncertainty. While difficulties are still to come as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, a new administration in the White House, and the recent unspeakable violence in Washington, D.C., there is no question that Maine’s future holds great promise. Read more...   Maine’s minimum wage increased again on January 1 As a result of the referendum ballot question passed in 2016, Maine’s minimum wage has once again increased in 2021. Effective January 1, the minimum wage in Maine rose to $12.15 per hour.   Starting this year, the resulting increase is associated with the “indexing” portion of Maine’s wage and hour law that requires the state’s minimum wage to be adjusted annually by any increase in the Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI), rounded to the nearest multiple of five cents. Read more...   Maine’s Earned Paid Leave lawtakes effect As of January 1, 2021, Maine’s new Earned Paid Leave law is in effect. This law requires businesses with 11 or more employees to allow workers to earn up to 40 hours of annual paid leave. Maine is the first state to permit using this leave for reasons outside of illness, as long as employees give their employer reasonable notice. Gov. Janet Mills signed the Earned Paid Leave Law in May 2019, after working with a diverse group of stakeholders that included the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.  We recognize the law is imperfect, however given the alternatives, we believe it is far more manageable than originally proposed, and does represent a consensus. Read more...   Joint Standing Committees for the 130th Legislature In this edition of Impact, we have published the rosters for the Joint Standing Committees of the 130th Maine Legislature. Committee information, including meeting schedules and locations, as well as livestream links, can be found online. Directions for testimony submission can also be found online at the Legislature's website. Just after press time, the 130th Maine Legislature has released its guidelines for public participation in the legislative process in both public hearings and work sessions. These links include information about the delivery of public testimony, participation in committee work sessions, and submission of written testimony.   Governor Mills announces updates to Maine’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy This week, Governor Janet Mills announced updates to Maine’s vaccination strategy to focus on older Mainers and those with high-risk medical conditions who are more likely to become seriously ill or die from COVID-19. Due to the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, and because indications are that it will take months for enough vaccine to be produced for everyone in the United States, vaccines are being distributed in a phased approach. Read more...
To learn more or to register, please click on the event image below.   On the Horizon: What to Expect in the Next Legislative Session Wednesday, January 20 Starting at 8:30 a.m. Zoom Meet the Commissioners Wednesday, January 27 Begins at 9:00 a.m. Zoom Leadership Summit 2021: Focusing on the Strength and Growth of Maine’s Economy Thursday, February 4 and 5, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A Virtual Event
To learn more about our magazine, please click on the image below or email Angie Arno.        E2Tech forum hosts legislature’s Environment & Natural Resources committee     With a busy legislative session ahead, the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) will be holding legislative forums in our areas of focus. On February 2, E2Tech will present a forum featuring environmental leaders and members of the legislature’s Environment & Natural Resources committee. This roundtable-style event will provide panelists with an opportunity to provide their perspectives on the issues that will most impact the committee in the upcoming legislative session, such as PFAS and Maine’s four-year Climate Action Plan. There will also be time for audience questions and feedback. As of press time, speakers will include Melanie Loyzim, acting commissioner of Maine DEP; Hannah Pingree, director of the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation & the Future; Sen. Rick Bennett; Rep. Ralph Tucker, the House chair of the ENR committee; Rep. Lydia Blume; and, Rep. Will Tuell. Please visit e2tech.org to register for this forum and to learn more about the Feb. 10 forum, which will feature members of the legislature’s Energy, Utilities & Technology committee.
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