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The latest edition of our Impact newsletter is now available!
Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber | March 24-25, 2022
 
View this edition online
 
View an archived edition online

“Dark Stores” bill passes House and Senate
 
Maine State Chamber opposed bill
 
As of publication deadline, the Maine House of Representatives has voted mostly along party lines (76-53) to enact LD 1129, An Act Relating to the Valuation of Improved Real Property,  sponsored by Rep. Ann Matlack (D-St. George). The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to LD 1129 at the public hearing.
 
Read more…
 

Camp tax defeated
 
Maine State Chamber worked to defeat LD 1337
 
On March 22 the Maine State Senate voted 31 to 3 – joining the Maine House of Representatives, which had previously voted 76 to 53 – in rejecting the “ought to pass as amended” motion on LD 1337, An Act To Increase Affordable Housing And Decrease Property Taxes Through An Impact Fee On Vacant Residences. Known as the “Camp Tax,” LD 1337 was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Kessler (D-South Portland).
 
Read more…
 

 
Business Leaders Survey: Voice Your Opinions Today!
 
Survey extended to Friday, April 1 | Please participate!
 
What would you like the next Maine Governor and their Administration to know about the needs, challenges, and opportunities of your business?
 
What do you see as the critical steps Maine needs to take to grow our workforce and economy?
 
 
The Maine State Chamber would like to include YOUR input in the survey portion of its Making Maine Work project. This brief survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and will close on Friday, April 1, 2022.
 
Complete the survey | Learn more
If you have already completed the survey, thank you for weighing in!
We appreciate your input.
 

 
Maine State Chamber testifies in support of bill to allow energy storage facilities to qualify for BETE
 
On Wednesday, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce testified in support of LD 2030, An Act Regarding the Taxation of Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, sponsored by Rep. Maureen Terry (D-Gorham).  The bill would create an exemption from sales and use tax for the sales of commercial energy storage systems and related parts and construction. It also provides that such property qualifies under the Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) program. 
 
Read more…
 

 
Dana Connors: New federal program can help more Mainers afford an internet connection
 
Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet. The best way to accomplish that goal is also the simplest — help those who can’t afford it to sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program and promote programs that will teach Mainers the skills they need to get connected.
 
Read more...
 

 
Legislative
Strictly Social
 
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EST
Senator Inn, Augusta
 
Learn more | Register today
 
 

 
Jason Judd: Child care providers are essential to Maine’s economic growth
 
The past two years have made it undeniably clear how important child care is to the functioning of our economy. Parents have juggled child rearing and work simultaneously, while businesses came face to face with the reality that, without reliable child care, parents can’t work. That connection between child care and employment makes addressing parents’ barriers to high-quality child care a priority issue for business leaders.
 
Read more...
 

Maine Voices: Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce
 
One of the starkest challenges during the pandemic has been the lack of child care for working parents.  As Portland business leaders, child care is one of our top concerns as we work to recruit and retain workers.  Simply put: if parents do not have child care, they cannot go to work.
 
Read more...
 

 
You are invited to Thomas College’s Mix, Mingle, & Master’s
 
Learn more here
 


 
LD 1634 receives a majority “ought not to pass” report
 
Last week, the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities, and Technology (EUT) committee had a work session on LD 1634, An Act To Create the Maine Generation Authority, introduced by Rep. Nicole Grohoski (D-Ellsworth). LD 1634 was carried over from the First Session of the 130th Maine Legislature and was the Maine State Chamber’s top “carryover of concern” in the EUT committee this session. We are happy to report that the majority report on LD 1634 will be “ought not to pass” with the two Democratic senators – Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, and Senate Chair, Sen. Mark Lawrence – voting against this legislation and siding with the five Republicans on the committee to make the majority report “ought not to pass” by a vote of 7 to 6.
 
Read more…
 

 
Congress considers FAIR Act that would eliminate arbitration for Maine businesses
 
Maine citizens and businesses could lose one of the most effective ways to resolve disputes between them, if Congress passes the so-called FAIR Act now being debated in Washington.
 
Read more…
 

 
Watch our next episode at noon on Tuesday, March 29
 
Be sure to watch The Maine Take streaming every Tuesday at noon during the legislative session, or check the archives for previous episodes, including our March 22 show with special guests Congressman Jared Golden, and Ana Hicks with the Governor’s Office and Sara Redington with The Miles Foundation on “The Best Place for Working Parents” initiative. Don’t miss our March 29 show with Brian Langley of Bridge Academy Maine, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, and the Maine State Chamber’s Simon West, who join for a discussion on business and education partnerships and innovation to grow Maine’s workforce. Please visit our website or contact Jen Webber for more information about The Maine Take, including sponsorship opportunities.
 
 
 

 
MaineDOT assembles Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group
 
On Friday, March 25, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) announced the creation of an Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group (OSWPAG). This group will advise MaineDOT and other state officials regarding the potential development of wind port facilities needed for Maine to realize the environmental and economic benefits of the rapidly developing offshore wind market. Such facilities are integral to advancing the University of Maine's patented floating offshore wind technology and attracting offshore wind industry investment to Maine.
 
Read More...
 

 
Technical center students selected for prestigious summer research internship
 
Hancock County Technical Center and Lewiston Regional Technical Center students selected for Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
 
Three Maine technical center students have been selected to join high school students from around the country to attend a paid summer research internship in the Aspirnaut™ program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee. Olivia Servidio, Katherine Gell and Elizabeth Leaf were selected from a pool of 200 applicants from around the country.
 
Read more…
 

 
Don’t miss The Bottom Line podcast on April 14
 
 
On Thursday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m., co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting will be joined by Craig Larabee, president and CEO of JMG, to discuss JMG's programs to work with Maine's public middle and high schools, community colleges, and university system to help students reach their fullest potential. JMG strengthens Maine's workforce and improves the economy by providing students with the guidance, skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers.
 
 
The Bottom Line podcast airs on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. To listen live or to the archived recordings, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber’s website or on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com. For more information about The Bottom Line, please contact Melanie Baillargeon by emailing melanieb@mainechamber.org.
 

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Copyright Maine State Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Our Board
    • Meet the Team
    • President's Message
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Return on Investment
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Hearings of Interest
    • Legislation of Interest
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Social
    • Policy Issues Workshops
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Campus Career Connect
    • Dream It. Do It.
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • This is ME Counting on You
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Impact Newsletter
    • MSCC Blog
    • The Bottom Line
    • The Maine Take
    • Making Maine Work
    • MERI Roll Call
    • OneVoice Maine Magazine
    • Policy Brief Series with Educate Maine
    • Press Kit
  • Member Login