Public Policy Committees
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is widely known as “The Voice of Maine Business” at the Statehouse. We speak out before state policymakers on behalf of businesses in this state on hundreds of public policy issues each session. Your participation in our public policy committees is the best way to lend your voice to the significant issues facing your business.
Below, you will find a list of our public policy committees. Each is made up of Maine State Chamber members who meet on a regular basis during the legislative session to discuss issues and to help shape Chamber policy. Working with our Board of Directors and our advocacy team, the Maine State Chamber’s public policy committees make sure that when the Maine State Chamber speaks, it reflects the concerns and priorities of our members.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Advocacy team member listed with the committee.
Environmental and Energy Policy Committee
The Chamber’s largest committee, this group reviews environmental and energy policy issues in Maine. From air quality to solid waste disposal, from land use regulations to water resource issues, the Chamber’s environmental and energy policy committee covers a wide variety of environmental issues.
Contact: Ben Lucas at (207) 623-4568 ext. 111, or blucas@mainechamber.org
Human Resources Policy Committee
Although broadly named the human resources committee, this vital public policy committee of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce reviews far more than just basic human resources legislation. The committee provides advice and input on a number of workplace issues including workers’ compensation, health care and health insurance issues and labor matters, including minimum wage and leave issues.
Contact: Peter Gore at (207) 623-4568, ext. 107, or pgore@mainechamber.org
Taxation Policy Committee
The Maine State Chamber’s taxation policy committee is comprised of members and professionals from a broad cross-section of business interests and sizes, who have a particular interest in Maine tax policies. For decades now, the Chamber’s taxation committee has been vocal advocates of lowering Maine’s overall tax burden.
Contact: Linda Caprara at (207) 623-4568, ext. 106, or lcaprara@mainechamber.org
Workforce and Education Policy Committee
Our members are working jointly with a number of wide ranging associations to identify and resolve barriers in public policy that prevent students and those without work from learning and exploring the opportunities available to them in technical fields such as construction, manufacturing, forest products, mechanics, healthcare, etc., educate the public about the growing skills gap here in Maine, connect various business leaders in an effort to coordinate implementation of workforce development programs across industries, and promote the importance of safety in the workplace and drive Maine to become the safest work-state in the nation.
Contact: Simon West at (207) 623-4568, ext. 117, or swest@mainechamber.org
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce looks at DEI as individual Mainers and community members, as an employer and organization, and as a business association that represents a network of 5,000 employers of all sizes and sectors across Maine. Our ongoing internal efforts are focusing on education, Inclusion Maine, how we can continuously improve, and be intentional about DEI in everything we do. The current focus of this board level committee is to make sure that the Chamber, as an employer, is an environment in which all staff members and board members, present and future, have a strong sense of belonging. Achieving this requires that we are engaged in continuous improvement activities such as training and the constant review of the Chamber's policies and practices.
Contact: Mark Ellis at (207) 623-4568, ext. 119, or mellis@mainechamber.org
Below, you will find a list of our public policy committees. Each is made up of Maine State Chamber members who meet on a regular basis during the legislative session to discuss issues and to help shape Chamber policy. Working with our Board of Directors and our advocacy team, the Maine State Chamber’s public policy committees make sure that when the Maine State Chamber speaks, it reflects the concerns and priorities of our members.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Advocacy team member listed with the committee.
Environmental and Energy Policy Committee
The Chamber’s largest committee, this group reviews environmental and energy policy issues in Maine. From air quality to solid waste disposal, from land use regulations to water resource issues, the Chamber’s environmental and energy policy committee covers a wide variety of environmental issues.
Contact: Ben Lucas at (207) 623-4568 ext. 111, or blucas@mainechamber.org
Human Resources Policy Committee
Although broadly named the human resources committee, this vital public policy committee of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce reviews far more than just basic human resources legislation. The committee provides advice and input on a number of workplace issues including workers’ compensation, health care and health insurance issues and labor matters, including minimum wage and leave issues.
Contact: Peter Gore at (207) 623-4568, ext. 107, or pgore@mainechamber.org
Taxation Policy Committee
The Maine State Chamber’s taxation policy committee is comprised of members and professionals from a broad cross-section of business interests and sizes, who have a particular interest in Maine tax policies. For decades now, the Chamber’s taxation committee has been vocal advocates of lowering Maine’s overall tax burden.
Contact: Linda Caprara at (207) 623-4568, ext. 106, or lcaprara@mainechamber.org
Workforce and Education Policy Committee
Our members are working jointly with a number of wide ranging associations to identify and resolve barriers in public policy that prevent students and those without work from learning and exploring the opportunities available to them in technical fields such as construction, manufacturing, forest products, mechanics, healthcare, etc., educate the public about the growing skills gap here in Maine, connect various business leaders in an effort to coordinate implementation of workforce development programs across industries, and promote the importance of safety in the workplace and drive Maine to become the safest work-state in the nation.
Contact: Simon West at (207) 623-4568, ext. 117, or swest@mainechamber.org
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce looks at DEI as individual Mainers and community members, as an employer and organization, and as a business association that represents a network of 5,000 employers of all sizes and sectors across Maine. Our ongoing internal efforts are focusing on education, Inclusion Maine, how we can continuously improve, and be intentional about DEI in everything we do. The current focus of this board level committee is to make sure that the Chamber, as an employer, is an environment in which all staff members and board members, present and future, have a strong sense of belonging. Achieving this requires that we are engaged in continuous improvement activities such as training and the constant review of the Chamber's policies and practices.
Contact: Mark Ellis at (207) 623-4568, ext. 119, or mellis@mainechamber.org