<![CDATA[PORTLAND REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Advocacy Updates]]>Fri, 08 May 2026 17:08:08 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[Portland to Vote on 13 Questions in November - Doubling Down on Failed Policies and Boss Mayor Politics]]>Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/portland-to-vote-on-13-questions-in-november-doubling-down-on-failed-policies-and-boss-mayor-politicsLast month, we updated you on four referendum questions that were filed for the November ballot by the Democratic Socialists of America. We now have confirmation that these questions have made the ballot, and will appear alongside one other referendum question and 8 questions from the Portland Charter Commission for a total of 13 questions on Portland's municipal ballot in November:
  • Institute the 3rd highest minimum wage in the country, behind only two communities in California.

  • Eliminate the tipped credit, which would imperil Portland's world-renowned food and beverage industry by dramatically increasing restaurant prices and harming employees that currently make over $40/hr in tips.

  • Double down on the failed rent control policy, which has invited the largest rent increases in our city's history while discouraging investment in our city's housing stock.
 
  • Eliminate cruise ships from Portland, threatening the revenues that make our small business community and working waterfront viable.
​
  • Drastically reduce the number of short-term rentals in Portland, punishing local homeowners trying to make ends meet and pay ever increasing property taxes.
 
  • Install a Boss Mayor in Portland, who could override the democratic will of our elected City Council with a veto pen, hire and fire city staff, and issue executive orders all while receiving a double-digit pay increase over the current mayoral salary.
​​
We know from the last several years that governing by referendum does not work for Portland. The referendums pushed by the Democratic Socialists of America and Ethan Strimling in 2020 invited numerous costly lawsuits, increased the cost of living, decreased housing production, and even led to the inability of our city to provide shelter to our most vulnerable neighbors. We stand ready to work with our City Council, other stakeholders, and the whole community to move workable policies through our public and democratic process at the City Council, but passage of these referendums would make that all but impossible.
]]><![CDATA[URGENT ACTION NEEDED: LD 553 is Bad for Maine Businesses]]>Fri, 14 May 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/urgent-action-needed-ld-553-is-bad-for-maine-businessesThe Maine Legislature could vote as early as next Wednesday, May 19th on LD 553, An Act to End At-Will Employment. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Sylvester (D-Portland), would end centuries of at-will employment in Maine by terminating the right of an employer to fire an employee without just cause. It received a favorable vote out of the Committee on Labor and Housing on May 7th, and your help is needed to ensure the full legislature does not adopt this misguided attempt to overhaul labor markets in Maine. 
​
This would mean employees could only be terminated following a progressive three-step disciplinary process, documenting each step in writing. Harmful impact of this bill include:
  • LD 553 imposes a costly, complicated and burdensome termination process on employers that will inevitably lead to increased litigation. Every step of the three-step disciplinary process in this bill would be subject to endless dispute and litigation, making it harder for employers to terminate employees, even for the most egregious of offenses.
  • LD 553 gives no guidance to businesses on how to treat seasonal employees or other economic related layoffs. As written this bill would require employers to follow the "just cause" process even in these cases. 
  • LD 553 removes an employer's ability to nimbly manage their workforce to ensure they can meet the demands of an ever evolving economy. If COVID-19 has shown businesses anything, it's the importance of hiring and terminating employees at will as economic and public health guidelines dictate.
  • LD 553 would make Maine one of just two states to lack the employment at-will doctrine. This would imperil our state's ability to recruit out of state jobs to Maine, and would severely impact the appetite for new entrepreneurs to start businesses in our state. 

​How can you help ensure this bill fails? Contact your legislator to share the adverse impacts this would have on your business. Given the favorable vote out of committee this will mean all hands on deck to share with legislators how harmful this bill would be.

Contact information for Greater Portland area legislators can be found at the following links:
Read More on LD553 from the Maine State Chamber
]]><![CDATA[Update: Mills Administration Spending Proposals Head to Legislature for Consideration]]>Thu, 13 May 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/update-mills-administration-spending-proposals-head-to-legislature-for-considerationThis section is contributed by our exclusive Advocacy Update sponsor Verrill and their lobbying and communications group, Maine Street Solutions. 

​The Mills Administration has released a series of spending proposals that will now head to the Legislature for consideration, amendment, and eventual passage. See below for details on the Administration’s proposals for a) spending federal relief dollars; b) a supplemental budget for the upcoming biennium; and c) a bond package.
Maine Jobs & Recovery Act
The Maine Jobs & Recovery Act is the Mills Administration’s proposal to invest more than $1 billion in discretionary Federal relief funds allocated to Maine under the American Rescue Plan Act. The plan draws heavily on recommendations from the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee and the State’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy.

The primary goals of the proposal are:
  • Immediate economic recovery from the pandemic;
  • Long-term economic growth for Maine; and
  • Infrastructure revitalization.

Biennial Budget “Part Two”
Given the recent positive revenue forecast from the State’s Revenue Forecasting Committee, the Administration has proposed a supplemental budget for the upcoming two years (starting July 1, 2021) that builds upon the biennial budget passed by the Legislature in March.

The “part two” budget proposal includes:
  • Meeting the State’s obligation to fund 55% of local K-12 education costs;
  • Enhanced municipal revenue sharing;
  • Investments in MaineCare for increased reimbursement rates, payments to providers, and more;
  • Property tax relief through the Property Tax Fairness Credit;
  • Enhanced State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child & Dependent Care Credit and employer-provided dependent care benefits;
  • Infrastructure improvements;
  • Funding for remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS);
  • and more.

Bond Package
The Mills Administration has also released its bond package for the year. While Governor Mills initially laid out an ambitious bonding agenda back in January, she scaled back her approach after passage of the Federal American Rescue Plan.

The Administration’s bond package now includes:
  • $100 million to maintain and upgrade Maine’s transportation system through the Maine Department of Transportation
  • $40 million for the Land for Maine’s Future program.

These three spending proposals will now head to the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for review.

Read More About the Maine Jobs & Recovery Act
]]><![CDATA[How You Can Make Your Voice Heard in Augusta]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/how-you-can-make-your-voice-heard-in-augustaThis section is contributed by our exclusive Advocacy Update sponsor Verrill and their lobbying and communications group, Maine Street Solutions. Participating in the Maine Legislature in the Virtual Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we all work and the Maine Legislature is no exception. This legislative session is unlike any other in Maine’s history. The 186 members of the Maine Legislature have met together in-person for a total of 3 days so far this year. In a “normal” year, the full Legislature would hold sessions of the House and Senate twice a week starting in January and add additional session days as the legislative work built up. In addition, legislative committees would be meeting at the State House complex to consider and vote on bills. Given the risks of gathering that many people together, this year legislative committees have been meeting virtually, via Zoom.
Moving legislative committee work online has had drawbacks – legislators, lobbyists and advocates are missing out on the camaraderie they normally experience in the halls of the State House. But allowing virtual participation has also had benefits, namely that people from all across the State can take part in committee hearings, without having to travel to Augusta.

If you’re looking for ways to participate in Maine’s legislative process this year, we’ve compiled the steps and links here:
Submitting Written Testimony

Once a public hearing has been scheduled for a bill, you can submit written testimony to the committee via the State's online testimony submission system. On this page you will be asked to select the committee, the date of the hearing, and then the bill itself. You will then enter your testimony -- you can either upload a document or copy and paste into the testimony field. Using this online testimony submission portal ensures that all members of the committee, in addition to the clerk and analysts, receive your written remarks.

Presenting Live Testimony

You can register to give oral testimony using the same online testimony submission platform. When filling out the form, be sure to check the box for "I would like to present my testimony live." This will ensure you receive the Zoom link for the public hearing. You can find more information about what to expect when participating in a Zoom public hearing on the Maine Street Solutions website.

Monitoring Committee Meetings

If you simply want to watch committee proceedings, instead of giving oral testimony, you can choose to watch either live or at a later time.
​
Watch committee meetings via the Maine Legislature's YouTube.
]]><![CDATA[Bills to Watch]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/bills-to-watchThis is a new section of our Advocacy Update. These are bills the Chamber hasn't necessarily taken a position on, but that we feel our members may be interested in.  Please let us know if you appreciate this feature and would like us to continue with it in the future.
  • LD 481 (Worker Training Bond): This bill provides for $80 million in bond funds to to provide funding to train workers in high-demand sectors and support the State's goal of increasing average annual wages in the State by 10%. Public hearing on April 22 at 10:00AM. 
  • LD 1084 (Energy Efficient Housing Bond): This bill provides for $50 million in bond funds to provide funding for the construction of energy-efficient affordable housing. These funds are to be matched by $82.5 million in private funds. Public hearing on April 21 at 1:00PM.
  • LD 1235 (Broadband Bond): This bill provides for $100 million in bond funds to construct high-speed internet infrastructure to reach 98% of Maine homes and businesses in five years. Public hearing on April 20 at 1:00PM.
  • LD 1329 (Job Training and Skills): This bill establishes the Career Advancement and Navigation Initiative within the Department of Education to provide educational and career guidance, support and services to help underemployed and unemployed individuals acquire additional education, skills, licensure or other preparation needed to participate to their fullest potential in the workforce. Public hearing on April 22 at 10:00AM. 
  • LD 1365 (Short-Term Rentals): This bill prohibits municipalities from banning short-term rentals. Public hearing on April 23 at 9:00AM. 
  • LD 1403 (COVID Business Liability): This bill limits liability for a business from suit alleging personal liability due to exposure to COVID if the business is following applicable government standards and guidance related to COVID exposure. Public hearing on April 30 at 9:00AM. 
  • LD 1493 (Business Relief Grants): This bill directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to use federal stimulus funds to set up a business relief grant program to compensate for the loss of revenues due to COVID. Public hearing on April 20 at 1:00PM. 
]]><![CDATA[Advocacy Alert: Minimum Wage Bills]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/advocacy-alert-minimum-wage-billsThe Legislature's Committee on Labor and Housing will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday (3/21) at noon to consider several bills related to the minimum wage. 

Last week the Chamber testified in support of LD 455 and LD 774, both of which would pre-empt a municipality's ability to set a minimum wage different than the state. This legislation is critical to ensure an even playing field for employers across the state.
Contact the legislators on the Committee on Labor and Housing before Wednesday's work session to indicate your support of these bills! Contact information for these legislators can be found at the following links: In addition to the bills we testified in support of, the committee will also be considering the following minimum wage bills in their work session on Wednesday:
  • LD 543 (Cost of Living Adjustment): This bill would change the cost of living adjustment to the state minimum wage from once every year to once every three years. 
  • LD 1047 (Training Wage): This bill would create a "training wage" for employees who are students of under 20 years of age, or 18 years of age for non-students, of $9.75/hour, adjusted annually for the cost of living. 
  • LD 1279 (Minimum Wage Increase): This bill would raise the state minimum wage to $16/hour starting in 2025. 
]]><![CDATA[ADVOCACY ALERT: ​Tax Proposals in the Legislature]]>Fri, 12 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.portlandregion.com/advocacy-updates/advocacy-alert-tax-proposals-in-the-legislatureThe Legislature's Committee on Taxation is currently considering two proposals that would raise taxes on Maine families and businesses in the middle of a pandemic. 

LD 498 would add a 3% surcharge on Maine families earning over $200,000. The surcharge will make it increasingly difficult for Maine to attract professionals to fill the needs of our businesses and will undoubtedly stifle growth, preventing new companies from moving to Maine and creating disincentives to start or grow a business in Maine. It also provides an incredible incentive for businesses currently here – who have the option to relocate – to move their businesses to a state with more favorable and attractive tax laws.

LD 501 would increase Maine’s corporate income tax rate to 12.4%. With the imposition of this corporate tax increase, Maine would have the highest corporate income tax rate in the nation. Currently only six states have a higher rate than Maine, and if this measure is adopted we will have a rate that is 90 basis points higher than the next highest state, New Jersey.

These tax increases will set us back even further as we seek to recover from the pandemic, and Maine workers will suffer as opportunities for employment dry up, incentives to start new businesses disappear, and perceptions persist that Maine is not the place to start and grow the types of businesses we will need to compete in the global economy.

We testified at the public hearing on these bills this week, and we urge our members to reach out to the committee and let them know about the negative effects of these proposals on their businesses and families.

Contact information for committee members can be found here:]]>