The latest edition of our Impact newsletter is now available!
Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce | June 11, 2021
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Critical Update on LD 553, Employment-At-Will Status: Maine’s business community remains strongly opposed to LD 553 On Thursday evening, June 10, the Maine House of Representatives took up LD 553, An Act to End Employment at Will, for initial debate. After a spirited 45-minute discussion, the House overwhelmingly rejected the proposal (99-35). The rebuke of the majority report was significant for the amount of bi-partisan support it received.  To see how your local legislators voted, you can find the Roll Call here. Unfortunately, the action did not stop here. The House chair of the Labor and Housing committee then moved the second “ought to pass” report, which directs the Maine Department of Labor and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to pull together a stakeholder group to study the impact of eliminating employment-at-will in Maine. The group is directed to gather information, make recommendations, and suggest legislation to the full legislature by February 15, 2022. With little debate, the House narrowly approved the motion (71-63). Again, to see where your legislators landed on this motion, you can find the roll call here. The bill now heads to the Senate for their consideration. While we are pleased that the House rejected the very egregious Majority Report, we remain absolutely opposed to any study on the issue of employment-at-will. A study just keeps this issue hanging over the head of our state for the next year – or longer – and will negatively impact Maine’s efforts to attract new jobs and opportunities for our citizens. The threat of ending employment-at-will only serves to impede our ability to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and more importantly, the implementation of Governor Janet Mills’ 10-year Economic Strategic Plan. We are urging the Maine State Senate to vote “Ought Not to Pass” on LD 553. We also are urging individual Maine employers to continue to contact their legislators as soon as possible to voice their opposition to any version of LD 553. The Maine Senate will likely vote on LD 553 as soon as Monday, June 14 when legislators are scheduled to reconvene. Read more...
Action Alert on UI Reform Legislation: URGENT ACTION NEEDED ON PROBLEMATIC UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORM LEGISLATION! Maine’s business community is rallying together again – this time on troubling legislation that seeks to reform Maine’s unemployment insurance system without active input from Maine employers. WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY! Please contact your legislators immediately. Read more... Advocacy Alert on Broadband Expansion: RAISE FEES ON CABLE AND STREAMING NOW? Passage of LD 920 will have a chilling effect on broadband expansion in Maine As amended, LD 920, An Act To Promote Oversight of and Competitive Parity among Video Service Providers, would make video service providers and streaming services delivered over the internet a “public utility,” subject to the multitude of regulations that currently cover gas, electric, and water companies. Passage would result in a sea-change in Maine law and add costly new fees to cable customers’ monthly bills, making recovery from a difficult year even more challenging. What’s worse, this preemptive fee could make Maine vulnerable to costly litigation, further burdening taxpayers. And that’s not all - the bill discriminates against providers of streaming services that are investing in critical broadband infrastructure for the state of Maine. Read more... Action Alert on LD 498, Income Tax: LD 498 punishes the hard work and success of Maine families, threatens Maine jobs, investments, and economic growth CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY and urge them to oppose a 3% tax on individual income in Maine LD 498, An Act to Reauthorize a 3 Percent Tax on income Over $200,000 To Lift All Maine Workers out of Poverty, threatens to stifle Maine’s fragile economy. Increasing Maine’s individual income taxes will impact jobs and investments, and will ultimately shrink, not grow, Maine’s economy. This bill punishes success and those who work hard to achieve it. This bill will hurt small businesses that have already been hit hard by the pandemic. In Maine, approximately 80% of businesses are established as LLCs, partnerships, or S-Corps. In those instances, the income from the business flows through to the individual taxpayer(s), and he or she is responsible for paying the income tax directly. The Legislature has consistently lowered the top individual income tax rates since 2011. Any increase would be a step backwards, and Maine cannot afford that! Read more... Action Alert on LD 1524, the Estate Tax Bill: Changes to the estate tax are a tax increase on Maine citizens and Maine businesses Please Contact Your Legislators Today And Urge Them Oppose LD 1524! LD 1524 increases the estate tax on Mainers who pass on assets to children by lowering the estate tax threshold from $5.6 million to $2 million. Increasing the estate tax is simply bad tax policy. This bill punishes the hard work and success of Mainers, and the economic future of their children! Read more...
Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan aligns investments with the 10-year Strategic Plan and the recommendations of the Economic Recovery Committee On Wednesday, June 9, Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, presented the following testimony in support of LD 1733, An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds, before the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. We are reprinting it here for your review and consideration. Read more...
Study: New state-run recycling program could cost Mainers $134 million a year  Family of four could pay more than $50 a onth more for groceries A new study released last week estimates that a bill being considered by the Maine Legislature could increase the cost of consumer products by between $99 million and $134 million a year, leading to a potential cost increase for a family of four of between $32 per month and $59 per month. Read more...
Meet our Summer Intern: Jordan Lawlor The Maine State Chamber is pleased to welcome Jordan Lawlor, who started her summer internship with us this week. Jordan has an impressive background and resume, and we are excited to have her on-board! A native from Dedham, Massachusetts, she is a rising senior at Colby College, where she is a Government and Religious Studies double major with a minor in Cinema Studies. With a strong interest in government, she spends her time outside the classroom as president of Colby’s Student Programming Board, which is the student-run portion of campus events planning. She is also a Student Advisory Board member and mentor in Colby’s mentoring program, Colby Cares About Kids. This summer, she will be assisting the Maine State Chamber a variety of projects across all departments including compiling data and conducting research. Please join us in welcoming her to the Chamber team.
From a Recent Portland Press Herald Letter to the Editor by Jeremy Fischer: Investing in quality child care is worth it – Pass LD 1712 Thank you for the editorial (Our View, May 27) supporting LD 1712, a legislative proposal embracing greater investments in quality child care. I am proud to be part of a group of business leaders committed “to putting our money where our mouth is” on the issue of expanding high-quality early care and education. We’ve spent years – and our own money – exploring how to expand access for Maine kids in a cost-effective way. Read more...
Lewiston Sun Journal Op-Ed by Geoff Freeman: Maine’s vision for recycling risks getting blurred by politics As the Maine Legislature continues its consideration of extended producer responsibility proposals, it must stay mindful that revenue should support solutions, not be the solution. Let’s work together to build an EPR system that sets the standard for other states, and begins to fix recycling now and for future generations. Geoff Freeman is president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Read more...
Bangor Daily News Op-Ed by Joseph W. McDonnell: Maine should learn from New York before taking over its utilities The Maine Legislature’s Energy, Utility and Technology Committee voted to bring to the full Legislature a proposed state law to acquire Maine’s two electric utilities with a newly created Pine Tree Power utility. The proposal responds to consumer frustration over rates, reliability and service — and the hope that a consumer-run utility would accelerate adoption of renewable energy. Joseph W. McDonnell is a professor of public policy and management at the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. He previously served as a senior vice president of the Long Island Lighting Company. Read more...
Watch The Maine Take with Dana Connors Livestreaming every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. Coming up on June 15: Crunch Time at the State House As the Legislature nears adjournment and numerous bills are under consideration that will have a significant impact on Maine businesses and the state’s economy, the Maine State Chamber’s Advocacy Team will share detailed updates again this week on what is happening under the dome. Also joining Tuesday’s show, business representatives will discuss how lawmakers’ votes will impact their operations, and Mainebiz will join for their regular segment sharing headline business news each week. Watch The Maine Take with Dana Connors live on our website or on our YouTube channel. Missed recent episodes of The Maine Take? Click here for archived episodes on topics including Maine’s summer tourism outlook, the current labor shortage, Maine’s economic comeback, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Maine; combating climate change; and more. About The Maine Take with Dana Connors: Hosted by Maine State Chamber President and CEO Dana Connors, The Maine Take shares information and perspectives on issues and policies that impact Maine’s economy and business community, featuring in-depth discussions with special guests each week. For more information, please contact Jen Webber by emailing jwebber@mainechamber.org.
June episodes of The Bottom Line podcast focus on legislative outcomes and accountability This morning on the June 10 episode of The Bottom Line podcast, co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting were joined by Simon West, administrator for the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI), to discuss the organization's overall mission to conduct research, analysis, and reporting on economic issues in a nonpartisan, independent manner, as well as the development of MERI's legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislators based on their votes on key issues of importance to Maine’s business community. On the June 24 episode, Connors and Williams will be joined by the Maine State Chamber's Advocacy team - Peter Gore, Ben Gilman, and Linda Caprara - to discuss the outcomes of the 2021 legislative session and its impact on Maine's business community. Airing live at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, The Bottom Line podcast features a wide variety of guests and presents interviews relevant to public policy priorities both in state and nationally, to economic recovery efforts of the pandemic, and to other significant issues of interest to Maine’s business community. To listen live, please visit Williams Broadcasting at www.williamsbroadcasting.net and scroll down to “Listen Online” at the bottom of the homepage. To listen to the archived podcasts any time, 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. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available in the following four options: 12-month sponsorship for $4,000; 6-month sponsorship for $2,500; 3-month sponsorship for $1,400; and, 1-month sponsorship for $600. For benefit details, current analytics, or to secure your sponsorship, please email aarno@mainechamber.org.
Register for a Regional Legislative Breakfast near you! The Maine State Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend any of its Regional Legislative Breakfast Meetings, held virtually on Zoom. As a Maine business leader, your insight is valuable and instrumental to this open dialogue about business issues that affect your business, your community, and your state. We need your expertise and input to make recommendations and to identify opportunities for moving Maine’s economic future in a positive direction. Normally, attending one of our annual statewide breakfast meetings are an ideal way for Maine business leaders to interact with colleagues, new and prospective chamber members, and state representatives in a relaxed setting. Again this year, due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine State Chamber will be hosting this event online as a coffee hour. So, grab your cup of coffee and join the conversation from the comfort of your own home. Please use the links below to register for your preferred sessions. Each virtual session begins at 9:00 a.m. Additional information will be included in the confirmation email. For more information, please contact Angie Arno, director of events and programs, by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104, or by emailing jwebber@mainechamber.org. Portland Area Legislative Breakfast: Thursday, June 17, 2021 | 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.   Maine’s Lakes & Mountains (Androscoggin) Legislative Breakfast: Monday, June 21, 2021 | 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Maine Highlands (Bangor) Legislative Breakfast: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Aroostook County Legislative Breakfast: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
2021 Virtual Washington D.C. Fly-In Thursday, June 24, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with a half hour break Registration: $50 | Details and Registration Today, more than ever, what happens in Washington, D.C., has a monumental impact on Maine businesses, and our voices matter to our congressional leaders. The Maine State Chamber is hosting its 10th annual D.C. Fly-In this year on June 24, albeit virtually. Virtual visits with each of Maine’s delegates are scheduled, as well as briefings with Washington, D.C., insiders. Attendees will enjoy an exclusive opportunity to ask questions and be briefed on matters of national significance. A variety of current public policy issues will be discussed, including updates on workforce development, immigration laws, health care, energy issues, transportation, and infrastructure funding. Thank you to our sponsors: Lead Sponsor, Charter Communications; Programming Sponsor, Headlight Audio Visual, Inc.; Gold Sponsor, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.; Silver Sponsor, MEMIC; and Official Sponsor, Dirigo Partners.
Upcoming Virtual Event: Regional Broadband Dialogues Friday, June 25, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is a watershed moment for broadband strategic planning throughout Maine. With a significant infusion of federal funding for broadband now available through the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and various grant programs we have an unprecedented opportunity to advance broadband projects that align connectivity needs with education, health and economic development priorities. The Maine Broadband Coalition, in collaboration with the Co-Hosts listed below, is leading an effort to convene broadband stakeholders at a state, county and local level to enhance capacity for county governments to plan, coordinate, secure funding for and ultimately execute broadband projects. We anticipate this event to be the first in an ongoing series of dialogues. Read more...
The district map posters of the 130th Legislature are here! In the past, the Maine State Chamber has been able to distribute the legislative posters at its statewide events, but due to the pandemic, that is not currently possible. This year, the Maine State Chamber is making them available for pickup at its office on 128 State Street in Augusta. If you would like a set of posters (one set contains two posters – one House poster and one Senate poster), please visit www.mainechamber.org/posters and fill out the online request form. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Ellis by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 109, or by emailing mellis@mainechamber.org.
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