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Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber | January 20, 2022

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First Labor committee work session spells bad news for business   Democrats approve two costly mandates on small business     At its first work session of the Second Session of the 130th Legislature, the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing sharply divided along party line on two bills that hold significant cost consequences for all Maine employers, but particularly small businesses. With all eight Democrats on the committee voting to approve, and all five Republicans opposing, a majority of the committee approved amended version of LD 225, An Act Regarding the Treatment of Vacation Time upon the Cessation of Employment, sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor), and LD 607, An Act to Restore Overtime Protection for Maine Workers, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland). Read more...

State and Local Government committee holds public hearing on legislation that would hurt 5G expansion in Maine     On Wednesday, January 19, the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government as a public hearing on LD 383, An Act Concerning Small Wireless Facilities in Maine. This bill was introduced as a concept draft by Rep. Sophia Warren (D-Scarborough) more than a year ago. An amendment was introduced on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before the public hearing. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce submitted testimony in opposition to LD 383.   Read more...

Upcoming Public Hearings of Interest     Public hearings are open to everyone, despite the Statehouse’s continued “restricted access” status. Currently, Maine State Chamber members should plan to watch and listen to legislative committees by using one of the Legislature’s YouTube channels. The Legislature also released these guides for participation in public hearings and work sessions, and you will need to register to submit testimony if you plan to testify on a particular bill. Also, this public hearing schedule is subject to changes and updates; we advise that you check the committee’s calendar or contact the committee clerk. Each committee name listed below is linked to the corresponding committee page.   View the list of Public Hearings for January 24 through February 4, 2022...

Taxation committee reviews OPEGA report on BETR / BETE and Maine Capital Investment Credit   On Tuesday, January 18, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation held its first meeting of the Second Regular Session of the 130th Maine Legislature. The committee met for the purpose of reviewing reports completed by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA). The committee reviewed OEPGA’s reports on the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program (BETR), the Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) and the Maine Capital Investment Credit (MCIC). OPEGA completed these reviews in February 2020.     Read more...

It's not too late!   If you missed this morning's “On the Horizon” event, listen to the recording here. An Update from the Commissioners Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Learn More | Register Here

Anti-business rhetoric holds us back   Here we go again. Two more commentaries beating the anti-business drum, one promoting higher taxes and another questioning the value of tax incentives for businesses. It’s like the movie “Groundhog Day.” Read more...

Watch The Maine Take every Tuesday at noon Be sure to watch The Maine Take with Dana Connors every Tuesday at noon while the Legislature is in session. Since launching Season 2 on January 4, Connors has hosted in-depth conversations with special guests U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Governor Janet Mills, and Maine State Senate Republican Leader Jeff Timberlake. Topics of discussion have included the COVID-19 pandemic; the challenges, rewards, and lessons of the past year; state and federal legislative priorities for 2022; and much more. Joining on Tuesday, January 25 is Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Ryan Fecteau. The Maine Take is a public affairs livestream program hosted by Maine State Chamber President & CEO Dana Connors. Initially launched in February of 2021, the program shares information and perspectives on top issues and policies that impact Maine’s economy and business community, featuring regular updates from the Maine State Chamber’s Advocacy Team and leading news source Mainebiz, and in-depth discussions with elected officials, policy makers, Maine businesses in the news, and more. Please visit the archives to watch previous episodes of The Maine Take.   For more information about The Maine Take, including sponsorship opportunities, please visit http://www.mainechamber.org/mainetake or contact Jen Webber by emailing jwebber@mainechamber.org.

Listen in to our conversation with the new president of the Maine Connectivity Authority   On Thursday, January 27, The Bottom Line podcast co-hosts – Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting – will be joined by Andrew Butcher, the first President of the Maine Connectivity Authority, to discuss the role and mission of this new State entity charged with achieving universal availability of high-speed broadband in Maine. The Bottom Line podcast airs on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

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