New amendment presented in work session with no opportunity for comment by interested parties On Thursday, February 3, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation voted majority “ought to pass as amended” on LD 1337, An Act to Increase Affordable Housing and Reduce Property Taxes Through an Impact Fee on Vacant Residences, sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler (D-South Portland). Sen. Ben Chipman (co-chair), Sen. Nate Libby, Rep. Maureen Terry (co-chair), Rep. Joe Perry, Rep. Lori Gramlich, Rep. Melanie Sachs, Rep. Benjamin Collings, and Rep. Ann Matlack voted “ought to pass as amended.” Sen. Matthew Pouliot, Rep. Bruce Bickford, Rep. Micky Carmichael, and Rep. Joel Stetkis voted “ought not to pass.”
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On Tuesday, February 8, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s Linda Caprara testified in opposition to LD 1941, An Act to Clarify and Update the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit, sponsored by Sen. Glenn Curry (D-Waldo). The Maine State Chamber opposed LD 1941 because the bill as drafted would reduce the existing credit from 40% to 30%. Caprara testified that the credit keeps changing and that businesses need stability and predictability to invest.
On Monday, February 7, the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) committee moved forward with an “ought to pass as amended” vote on LD 1639, An Act to Protect the Health and Welfare of Maine Communities and Reduce Harmful Solid Waste, which was introduced by Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland). LD 1639 was a carryover piece of legislation from the First Session of the 130th Maine Legislature. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce testified in opposition to LD 1639 last year and continues to oppose this legislation.
Last week, we hosted our 23rd annual Leadership Summit (see page 1), and despite dicey winter weather and a long, slow ride home, this year’s Summit delivered yet again! Each year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the willingness of legislators, administrators, and business leaders to come together for frank, open dialogue about the public policy issues facing our state. This year, we were thankful to return to our traditional in-person event.
For the past 23 years, the Maine State Chamber’s annual Leadership Summit has provided board members and business leaders an opportunity to discuss critical public policy issues with key public officials from both sides of the aisle, as well as with administrators and representatives of the executive branch. After a virtual Summit last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber’s board of directors and key business leaders once again gathered in-person with legislative leaders and members of the Mills administration on Thursday and Friday, February 3 and 4, at Sunday River with the shared goal of finding ways to attract and build talent, foster innovation, and develop the critical support tools necessary to achieve the goals laid out in Governor Janet Mills’ 10-year Economic Development Strategy for Maine.
On Monday, January 31, the State and Local Government committee voted unanimously “ought not to pass” on LD 383, An Act Concerning Small Wireless Facilities in Maine. The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to this legislation, as it would have undone several changes to laws around small wireless facilities that passed in 2019. The changes that passed in 2019 were unanimously approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Janet Mills. The changes created a more streamlined and consistent permitting process, which has resulted in millions of dollars of investment into Maine and has created thousands of jobs. This change has allowed Mainers to have better connectivity as 5G wireless has been more accessible.
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