EDITOR’S NOTE: The following testimony was delivered by Megan Diver, senior government relations specialist for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in support of LD 1947, An Act To Fund Capital Improvements to Career and Technical Education Centers, and, LD 2022, An Act To Provide Funding for Capital Improvements and Equipment for Career and Technical Education Centers and Regions, at a public hearing held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, before the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. We have reprinted it here for your review.
Senator Millett, Representative Kornfield, distinguished members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee: I am Megan Sanborn, senior government relations specialist at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, a statewide business association representing both large and small businesses. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is also proud to be a co-leader of the MaineSpark Coalition that is dedicated to achieving the state goal that 60 percent of Maine adults will hold a degree or a credential of value in demand by Maine employers by 2025.
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On Thursday, February 6, Linda Caprara testified on behalf of the Maine State Chamber in opposition to LD 2011, An Act to Update Certain Provisions in the Income Tax and Service Provider Tax Laws, a department bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Tipping (D-Orono).
Specifically, the Maine State Chamber opposed the proposed new section A-2, 36 MRSA, §2551, sub-B of the bill that would impose a new tax on users of streaming services transferred for less than permanent use. Currently, the State imposes a sales-and-use tax on products transferred electronically for permanent download. Services that are just streamed for temporary use are not currently subject to sale and use tax. This bill would codify different treatment for these two types of transactions: one would be subject to 5.5% sales tax; while the other subject to 6% service provider tax. In addition, the way it is drafted, it is not clear who that tax falls on. Proposal focuses on lowering cost for small businesses
The Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage and Insurance and Financial Services (HCIFS) held a public hearing on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, on Governor Janet Mill’s signature bill – LD 2007, The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act. The legislation is designed to lower the cost of health insurance for Maine small businesses. On Tuesday, February 11, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation will hold a work session on a carryover bill – LD 903, An Act to Improve Corporate Tax Fairness by Amending the Rates Imposed on Corporate Income. The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to the bill at last session’s public hearing. Sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy (D-Winterport), the bill would establish two new tax brackets and three new rates for corporate income taxes. Corporate income between $2 million and $3 million would be taxed at 8.5%, and income between $3 million and $3.5 million would be taxed at 8.75%. Currently any corporate income below $3.5 million is taxed at 8.33%. In addition, the bill proposes to raise the top rate to 9% from 8.93%.
Governor Mills also proposes “connections” bond package to expand broadband and continue rebuilding roads and bridges
On Monday, February 3, Governor Janet Mills presented the Legislature with a supplemental budget proposal that invests in bipartisan priorities, including continuing to rebuild state government to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Maine people, enhancing workforce and economic development efforts in the face of a tight labor market, and increasing the State’s Budget Stabilization Fund. Commission excludes medium and large sized businesses in Maine
On Thursday, January 30, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation voted 8-3 ought-to-pass-as-amended on LD 1929, Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Study Fair, Equitable and Competitive Tax Policy for Maine’s Working Families and Small Businesses, sponsored Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Augusta). The bill would establish an 11-member commission to study the impact of the state’s tax policy on working families and small businesses and develop recommendations designed to ensure the tax policy is fair and equitable while ensuring the state remains competitive. |
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