Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI) Announces Priority Bills for Scoring State Legislators on Votes

For Immediate Release                                                                                         Media contact: Jen Webber
Thursday, April 11, 2024                                                                                                      Cell: 207-939-0213

Legislators to be scored and ranked on how they vote on key bills that impact Maine’s business community, economy, and economic competitiveness

AUGUSTA, Maine (Thursday, April 11, 2024) -- The Maine Economic Research Institute, (MERI), announced today its “Watch List” of priority bills it is tracking in the 131st Maine State Legislature. Legislators will be given scores on their votes on these priority bills that impact Maine’s economy after the legislative session concludes. Legislator scores and ratings are expected to be announced in late summer in MERI’s “Roll Call” publication. Since the 1990s, MERI has provided objective, research-based analysis of state legislator votes that impact Maine’s business community, economy, and economic competitiveness.
 
MERI President Simon West said, “Legislation selected for MERI’s Watch List is based on the potential to impact Maine’s economic goals, and for Maine businesses’ ability to grow and compete on a local, regional, and global stage. MERI’s approach to transparent, objective, and nonpartisan scoring is a critical component in ensuring Maine people know how their legislators’ votes are impacting the economy where they live, work, and run a business.”
 
Maine State Chamber President and CEO Patrick Woodcock said, “For decades, MERI has provided Maine voters with key insight on legislators’ votes on the critical issues for Maine’s economy. MERI’s objective analysis is also key to holding legislators accountable for their impact on Maine’s future economic success.”
 
MERI’s priority bills in both the first and second regular sessions of the 131st Legislature cover taxation, research and development, PFAS, data privacy, energy, labor, and appropriations. Specific bills include:
 

• Investment in Research and Development Bonding.  L.D. 416, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization.” (Support) The bill as amended provides for a $25 million bond issue for research and development to be approved by Maine voters by referendum.

 

• Increase in Income Tax Rates.  L.D. 1231, “An Act to Bring Fairness to Income Taxes to Maine Families by Adjusting the Tax Brackets.” (Oppose) The bill would increase income taxes for high earners in Maine by increasing the top rate from 7.15% to 8.45%.

 

• Establishment of Protectionist State Contracting.  L.D. 1983, “An Act to Establish the Maine Buy America and Build Maine Act.” (Oppose) The bill institutes certain stipulations for bidding work for the State of Maine that are unworkable with today’s supply chain and workforce issues.

 

• Sensible Reforms to Maine’s PFAS Law.  L.D. 1537, “An Act to Amend the Laws Relating to the Prevention of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution and to Provide Additional Funding.” (Support) This legislation will put Maine in alignment with Minnesota in prohibiting some items containing PFAS while also allowing for the manufacturing and sale of federally regulated products that contain PFAS.

 

• Creation of New Video Streaming Fee.  L.D. 1967, “An Act to Support Municipal Franchise Agreements.” (Oppose) This legislation will impose a new tax and fees to streaming services by requiring franchise agreements with municipalities and technology upgrades for PEG.

 

• Restriction on Targeted Advertising.  L.D. 1977, “An Act to Create the Data Privacy and Protection Act.” (Oppose) This legislation’s narrow scope around data minimization would cut off Maine businesses ability to do targeted marketing, which has proven to help businesses bring in new customers and compete in the global marketplace.

 

• Permit Support for Port Infrastructure.  L.D. 2266, “An Act Regarding Offshore Wind Terminals Located in Coastal Sand Dune Systems.” (Support) This legislation would allow the DEP to grant a permit for port development in a coastal sand dune system on Sears Island if other permits and licensing are attained.

 

• Restriction of Noncompete Clauses.  L.D. 1496 "An Act to Restrict Noncompete Clauses." (Oppose) Vetoed by Gov. Mills, this legislation would have eliminated the use of noncompete clauses in the State of Maine.

 

• Increase of Overtime Threshold.  L.D. 513 "An Act Regarding Overtime Protections for Certain Maine Workers." (Oppose) This legislation would increase the overtime threshold to over $60,000/year before federal rules come out.

 

• Expansion of DOL Wage and Hour Authority.  L.D. 372 "An Act to Increase Enforcement and Accountability for Wage and Hour Violations." (Oppose) This legislation would give the Maine DOL the power to force businesses to pay back wages, including an increase in liquidated damages. 

 

• Increase of Fines for Wage and Hour Violations.  L.D. 2184 “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 9: Rules Governing Administrative Civil Money Penalties for Labor Law Violations, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards.” (Oppose) This legislation increases the minimum fine amount for wage and hour violations and promotes proactive enforcement, a drastic shift in DOL operations. 

 
In addition to the above referenced bills, bills not yet resolved that are being monitored closely include:
 

• Transportation Funding in State Supplemental Budget.  L.D. 2214, “An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025."  (Monitor) Any proposals to divert and reduce funding from the highway budget will be adamantly opposed.

 
The full MERI “Watch List” can be found here or at www.me-ri.org/watch-list.
 
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About the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI):
MERI is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization governed by a board of directors that includes Maine business owners, CEOs, and representatives from a diverse group of Maine employers. MERI’s board, advisors, and staff are focused on creating a healthy Maine economy, strong businesses, and quality jobs. MERI is affiliated with 10 statewide business associations and is administered by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.