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ADVOCACY BLOG

How You Can Make Your Voice Heard in Augusta

4/19/2021

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This 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.
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Bills to Watch

4/19/2021

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This 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. 
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Advocacy Alert: Minimum Wage Bills

4/19/2021

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The 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:
  • Sen. Craig Hickman (D, Chair)
  • Sen. Stacey Guerin (R)
  • Sen. Dave Miramant (D)
  • Rep. Mike Sylvester (D, Chair)
  • Rep. Dick Bradstreet (R)
  • Rep. Scott Cuddy (D)
  • Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R)
  • Rep. Traci Gere (D)
  • Rep. Joshua Morris (R)
  • Rep. Sarah Pebworth (D)
  • Rep. Dwayne Prescott (R)
  • Rep. Amy Roeder (D)
  • Rep. Sophia Warren (I)
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. 
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Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
443 Congress Street | Portland, ME | 04101
P: 207.772.2811 | F: 207.772.1179

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​PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, our administrative office is closed to the public and staff continues to work remotely.

We are located in Portland, MAINE
General Inquiries: chamber@portlandregion.com
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