March 8^th, 2010 Update

By Chris Hall, PRC Senior VP, Government Relations

PRC speaks out:  The legislative session at the state house is coming to a head - this week most legislative committees are expected to complete their work on remaining bills, setting the stage for 3 weeks of full House and Senate debates followed by adjournment in the first days of April.

There's plenty at stake.  First, the Governor's supplemental budget, amended by the addition of new revenues, needs passage.  Even with new funding the budget represents a substantial cut in state and local government services - enough that the Governor reiterated his stand against new taxes this weekend.

Beyond the budget there are significant policy choices being made on energy, education and labor issues.  Check below for more detail - but the central theme for business groups across the state is support for policies that grow Maine's economy, and opposition to proposals that raise employer costs and hurt the chances for job creation and economic recovery.

The end of every legislative session offers opportunities and presents risks.  The decisions that legislators make will be shaped by the voices they hear in the next 3 weeks.  At the Portland Regional Chamber we know our members are communicating with lawmakers on a regular basis, telling them what individual bills mean for their organization, their communities and themselves.

If you're one of our many members already doing that - keep it up!  And if you haven't yet, use our resources to get started - the next 3 weeks are the best time to make your voice heard.  Need help?  Just drop me an email.

You Speak Out:  The Maine State Chamber hosts "Business Day at the State House" every year - this year the event is scheduled for Tuesday March 16^th from 8 am to noon at the State House Hall of Flags.  SBA Regional Administrator Jeanne Hulit will be a guest speaker.  The event is a great opportunity to join other business people to meet legislators and discuss the issues most important to you.  Another great way to speak out!

Report(s) of the Week:  Misclassification of workers as independent contractors remains a hot spot in the closing weeks of the legislative session.  A report from the Governor's task force on the subject was recently released. 

State Policy round-up:   Envision Maine is a new group ready to reinvent Maine government.  It will be interesting to see if their upcoming report catches on with candidates.  Elsewhere last week around the state house:

Bonds:  Last week Democratic leaders at the state house proposed a $99 million dollar jobs bond - coverage in the KJ, BDN and LSJ.  The BDN editors comment on why bonding now makes sense. 

Budget:  With newly projected additional revenues in hand the Governor submitted a change to his supplemental budget that added back $79 million and eliminated or reduced a variety of cuts.  Coverage in the KJ, BDN, LSJ, AP and on MPBN.  Comment from the Governor himself, and editors at the BDN and PPH.  Impacts on education funding covered in the KJ and BDN.  Jim Clair discusses state budget history with Phil Harriman on WGAN.

Economic Development:   New DECD Commissioner Thaxter Trafton discusses economic growth strategies.  The PPH editors urge passage of 2 bills to grow the economy (LD 1 and LD 1666).

Education:  The Governor's 3 bills designed to position Maine to compete for federal ‘Race to the Top' funding (LD 1799, LD 1800 and LD 1801) got a lukewarm hearing last week before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee (coverage in the KJ and LSJ).  Small adjustments to school consolidation laws are moving forward.  New federal funding for Maine's worst schools is coming.  The BDN editors comment on closing schools and Bill Richards responds to David Flanagan.

Energy:  LD 1786 contains the majority recommendations of the ‘Energy Corridor Task Force.'  Last week's hearing showed sharp divisions about the state's energy future, and how to get there.  Coverage in the KJ and on MPBN, and a different angle from the BTR.  The Utilities and Energy Committee will work the bill again tomorrow.  The state's Efficiency Trust and its new leader are profiled in the KJ.

Environment:  Maine DEP has proposed a new $1 million dollar fee on natural gas, raising objections.

Governor's race watch:  5 Democratic candidates discussed the economy in South Portland last week - 12 candidates showed up for the Maine Fisherman's Forum in Rockland (coverage in BDN and PPH). Qualifying for public funding is proving hard for some candidates.  And it seems Maine isn't the only state with a huge number of candidates.

Health Care:  Senator Snowe discussed the federal health care debate on WGAN last week, while Maine hospitals are looking for payment reform to save them from losing more ground in the federal reform package.  Anthem's rate increases result from a variety of causes, and Joel Allumbaugh comments on blaming the insurer instead of focusing on cost drivers in the health care system.

Labor:  LD 1665 - the mandatory paid sick leave bill - is up for a final work session in the Labor Committee this afternoon.  The bill to automatically increase Maine's minimum wage by indexing it to inflation was rejected by all but one of the Labor Committee's members (coverage in KJ and on MPBN) - the bill is up for votes in the House and Senate this week.  Finally the LSJ editors agreed with us that the bill to add vacation pay to UI benefits is badly written and badly timed, and ought to be killed in the Maine Senate.

Stimulus watch:  BDN editors comment positively on federal stimulus in Maine

Tax Policy: The Governor said no to new taxes again in his weekly radio address.  The PPH editors agreed with him, but the BDN editors think a cigarette tax increase would be a good thing.  A bill to allow voluntary sales tax payments got a hearing last week.  The June referendum on last year's tax reform bill has both sides lining up - Rep. John McKane makes the case for repeal.

Other stuff:  The debate over warning labels on cell phones generated coverage of the bill's hearing (MPBN, KJ and BDN), as well as comment opposing the bill from editors at the PPH and LSJ, and competing op-eds from George Markowsky and Christopher Hallweaver.  A new round of debate over drug privacy began last week.  A bill to limit emergency rulemaking by agencies got a hearing too.

Around the Region: The University of Southern Maine is reorganizing - positive comment from the PPH editors while Jean Whitney has concerns. UNE President Danielle Ripich's presentation at Eggs & Issues connected UNE's health care work with the state's economic future - hear Ripich on WGAN just before her E&I appearance.  Elsewhere:

Cape Elizabeth & South Portland:  In South Portland the possible closure of a middle school is raising concerns (coverage in Forecaster and PPH).  The School Board may break with the Council to consider a tax increase.  Savings from street light reductions have been lost to rate increases.  The ‘Buy Local' campaign is gaining strength.

Cumberland & Falmouth:  In Cumberland voters narrowly approved Route 88 project costs.  The SAD 51 budget cuts include staff reductions.

In Falmouth dispatch services for Yarmouth will be consolidated into Falmouth's dispatch - the PPH editors approve.  The Planning Board's recent actions include approval of Norway Saving Bank's relocation.

Portland:  The municipal budget for the City remains problematic, even after state budget cuts are mitigated.  Coverage in the Forecaster, comment from the PPH editors.  Elsewhere:

The Portland school budget includes personnel cuts (Forecaster and PPH) and administrative changes.  Some school sports will be cut.  The PPH editors comment on what new state funding ought to be used for;

Waterfront zoning changes proposed by property owners got a public hearing (PPH and the Forecaster) last week.  Land use options are covered in the PPH - Steve DiMillo discusses the issues on WGAN; and

For the latest check out Chris O'Neil's Inside City Hall.  Chris serves as a consultant to the Portland Community Chamber, working closely with members and staff to represent the Chamber before Portland City officials.  Inside City Hall covers a host of Portland related issues.  It's something that everyone with an interest in Portland affairs will want to read.

Scarborough:  Proposed school cuts are raising strong concerns - coverage in the Current.

Westbrook:  Companies at the 5 Star Industrial Park discuss their future.  Changes at the fire department covered in the Current and the PPH.

Want to speak out?   It's easy to do, and believe it or not, it can really work. Notice that all the legislative committees mentioned above are linked - just click on them and you'll get emails, phone numbers and everything you need to make your voice heard in the state house.  If you need help, just email me!

Links you can use to speak out:  If you want to know the what, when and where of the policy process, use these links:

Portland Regional Chamber policy resources

Regional municipal contact information

Regional state house delegation contact information

Feedback:  So what do you think?  We'd love to have your thoughts on anything you've read here, or on other topics that are important to you.  The more you talk to us, the better we'll represent your views.  Send an email if you'd like to share your feedback with me - and thank you!