$9.00 per hour minimum wage approved in Maine House. Two major workers compensation bills scheduled for public hearing

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1 Two major workers compensation bills scheduled for public hearing The Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development has scheduled two workers compensation bills for public hearing during the second week in April. The bills, LD 443, An Act To Amend the Maine Workers Compensation Act of 1992 To Provide Benefits to Seriously Injured Workers, and LD 444, An Act To Improve Workers Compensation Coverage for All Injured Workers, are both sponsored by Sen. Troy Jackson, (D-Aroostook) and will be heard on Thursday, April 10, 2013 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Room 208 of the Cross State Office Building. Unfortunately, there is a catch. Because the bills are in concept draft form, there is no actual language specifying exactly what the proposed legislation is attempting to add, subtract, or change in Maine s current statute. As such, any additional insight on the part of the Maine State Chamber would only be supposition at this point. Despite this caveat, it appears that LD 443 will seek to make changes to the important workers compensation legislation pass into law in 2012, which sought to correct a long-standing problem in the way Maine provided to compensation to injured workers under Section 213 of the statute. That section of the law governed benefits for an injured worker with a partial incapacity beyond durational limits (how long an individual injured worker is entitled to receive benefits) set out in the law. The purpose of LD 444 is less clear, but rumor has it, that it attempts to provide coverage for an injured worker whose employer did not secure workers comp insurance coverage. Regardless, the Maine State Chamber intends to be present at the committee hearing and prepared to provide the LCRED committee with its comments and concerns once actual language is shared by the sponsor. Please be on the look-out next week for additional updates and alerts on this topic. For additional information or questions, please contact Peter Gore by calling (207) , ext. 107, or by ing pgore@mainechanber.org. $9.00 per hour minimum wage approved in Maine House March 28, 2013 The three-step increase could give Maine the second highest minimum wage in the nation Sweeping aside the concerns of the Maine s small business community, a sharply divided majority in the Maine House of Representatives has given initial approval to a $1.50 increase in Maine s minimum wage over a three-year process. With the exception of a single democrat joining the republicans in opposition to the bill, the initial vote was along party lines, with 86 democrats supporting the bill, and 58 republicans and one democrat opposing. Should the Maine Senate follow the lead of the House next week, Maine s minimum wage would stand at $9.00 an hour by October Unless other states followed suit, only Washington State would have a higher required wage. In addition, effective 2017, Maine would begin annual automatic adjustments in the minimum wage tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development had earlier approved LD 611, An Act to Adjust Maine s Minimum Wage Annually Based on Cost of Living Continued on Page 2...

2 Inside Impact... Business Day p. 12 Minimum Wage Increase... p. 1 New Legislation p. 3 Path of Legislation p. 8 Public Hearings p. 5 Regional Breakfasts p. 4 Workers Comp p. 1 Vol. 47, No. 11 Impact (207) Impact (ISSN ) is published weekly January through June and monthly July through December by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, 125 Community Dr., Suite 101, Augusta, Maine Periodicals postage paid at Augusta, Maine, and additional mailing offices. Maine State Chamber member companies are assessed $75.00 yearly for each newsletter subscription (subscribers or out-of-dues assessement). POSTMASTER: Please send any address changes to Impact, 125 Community Dr., Suite 101, Augusta, Maine Chairman of the Board of Directors: Frank McGinty President: Dana F. Connors Information in this newsletter is intended to provide guidance, not legal advice. Since exact language and definitions of key terms are critical to understanding the requirements of legislation, rules or laws, we encourage you to read each carefully. Articles and information contained in this newsletter may be reprinted with attribution given to: Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Please address comments to Melanie Baillargeon, director of communications. Information about the Maine State Chamber of Commerce may also be viewed on the Internet at: Our address is news@mainechamber.org. About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Since 1889, the Maine State Chamber has been fighting to lower your cost of doing business. Through our Grassroots Action Network and OneVoice program, we work with a network of approximately 5,000 companies statewide who see the value in such a service and provide the financial support that keeps our access, advocacy, and assistance efforts going strong. As Maine's Chamber, we make sure that the business environment of the state continues to thrive. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of their interests before the legislature and regulatory agencies and through conferences, seminars, and affiliated programs. Minimum Wage Increase... (Continued from Page 1...) Changes, sponsored by Rep. Scott Hamann (D-South Portland). Currently, LD 611 proposed a single minimum wage increase of $1.00, or $8.50 an hour, effective in July Additionally, the bill called for adjusting the minimum wage annually by CPI changes. However, it became clear during the work session that a dollar per hour increase would not be enough for some committee members despite considerable opposition from a number of small businesses and various business associations, including the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, at the public hearing. The democratic majority of the committee settled on a three-step increase in the minimum wage beginning in 2014, when wages would increase by $.50 to $8.00. The increases would continue by $.50 again in 2015 and 2016 to $9.00. Beginning in 2017, an automatic escalator would kick in, only adjusting the minimum wage upwards tied to changes in the CPI. The final LCRED committee vote was along party lines, 8-5. Given the magnitude of the future increase in the cost of doing business in our state, the outcome in the committee and in the House of Representatives is clearly disappointing, as well as disturbing. Legislation to unilaterally increase Maine s minimum wage is not unique to the business community. While there were no proposals submitted during the 125th Legislature advocating for such a change, Maine has actually increased its minimum wage level roughly nine times since 1996, and eight times in the past 13 years. The last time Maine acted to increase its minimum wage was in 2008 during the 123rd Legislature. At that time, legislators established the $7.50 standard we now operate under. That figure is 25 cents above the federally-established minimum wage. In 2011, the 124th Legislature did wrestle with the question of unilaterally increasing the minimum wage again, and ultimately rejected the idea on a bipartisan basis, due to concerns about the impact of increasing the cost of doing business here in the face of an economic downturn. The fact is, since that time, little has changed in this state in terms of both lowering the cost of doing business or accelerating job growth opportunities. As of December 2012, Maine s unemployment rate remains above seven percent. What s more, Maine consistently ranks among the states with the highest cost of doing business. The notorious Forbes report issued last fall continues to place Maine last out of 50 states when it comes to business attractiveness. As if to highlight Maine s continued issues in this area, the recently-released edition of Measures of Growth 2012 report, produced by the Maine Economic Growth Council and the Maine Development Foundation, cited Maine s cost of doing business as the tenth highest in the nation, 8.6% higher than the rest of the country. It is unfortunate that a majority of the members of the House of Representatives, with respect to this wage-and-hour issue, chose not to take a larger view of the state of small business in Maine today. Businesses continue to struggle. Costs, like health care and workers compensation insurance are up. The specter of the unknown looms large with the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act nearing. Despite claims that the proposal is a modest minimum wage increase, it is unlikely to be seen by impacted small businesses as anything but modest. The fact remains that, in order to pay for higher wage-and-hour costs costs that at this time are not built into any small business model during a continued economic slowdown, employers will have to find a way to pay for higher wages. That is likely to mean less benefits in other areas, higher prices, fewer job creations, or fewer people working. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce will continue to oppose LD 611. We strongly urge any concerned members to contact their locally-elected official and ask them to oppose the majority report to LD 611. For questions or additional information, please contact Peter Gore by calling (207) , ext. 107, or by ing pgore@mainechamber.org. 2 III Impact III 03/28/2013 For the most current information, visit

3 Digest of New Legislation Maine Chamber staff have studied each of these recently printed bills to assess potential impact on business trends. If you have concerns regarding any bill, please communicate those concerns to a member of our governmental services staff at (207) BOND ISSUES LD 1163, n Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Main Street and Downtown Economic Developmentn Projects. (Sen.Goodall, D-Sagadahoc) Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $20,000,000, will be used to provide funds for main street and downtown economic development projects, with $12,000,000 to be awarded to municipalities that are not automatic recipients of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and $8,000,000 to be awarded through open competitive grants for all municipalities. LD 1180, An Act to Authorize a Genral Fund Bond Issue for the Maine Community Reinvestment and Job Creation Fund. (Sen. Gerzofsky, D- Cumberland) Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. SUMMARY The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $25,000,000, will be used to establish the Maine Community Reinvestment and Job Creation Fund, to benefit Brunswick Landing, formerly the Brunswick Naval Air Station, and to benefit the Loring Development Authority of Maine. LD 1223, An Act ot Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support the Maine tyechnology Institute s Action Plan Implementation. (Sen. Cain, D- Penobscot) Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $50,000,000, will be used to provide funds over 5 years for research, development and commercialization for targeted technology sectors, awarded after a competitive process administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine Technology Institute. BUSINESS REGULATION LD 1062, An Act To Add Conditions That Qualify for Medical Marijuana Use. (Rep. Dickerson, D-Rockland) Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. This bill amends the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act to add to the list of debilitating medical conditions for which a physician may certify the use of medical marijuana. The conditions added are post-traumatic stress disorder, opiate or pharmaceutical drug addiction and recovery and any other medical condition or its treatment as determined by a physician. LD 1067, An Act To Allow Certain Small Retail Businesses To Pass Credit and Debit Card Transaction Fees on to Consumers. (Rep. Lockman, R-Amherst) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. A conceot draft, the bill proposes to amend the Maine Consumer Credit Code - Truth in Lending laws to allow a small retail business to impose a surcharge on a purchase of a customer who elects to use a credit card or debit card that increases the regular price and that is not imposed on a purchase of a customer who pays by cash, check or similar means. LD 1150, An Act To Require Prevailing Wages To Be Paid on All Public Works Projects Receiving State Funding. (Rep. DeChant, D-Bath) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. This bill amends the laws requiring the payment of prevailing wages in public works contracts to remove the exemption under those laws for contracts in amounts less than $50,000. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LD 1172, An Act To Support the Maine Downtown Center. (Sen. Goodall, D- Sagadahoc) Joint Standing Committee on Joint Select Committee on Maine s Workforce and Economic Development. This bill provides ongoing support for the Maine Downtown Center. EDUCATION LD 962, An Act to Increase Access to Higher Education. (Rep. Chipman, I- Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. This bill establishes a merit-based scholarship program for eligible students who graduate from high school in Maine and who are admitted to one of the institutions of the University of Maine System or the Maine Community College System. Students must have graduated in the top 25% of their classes in high school and family income must be less than $30,000 a year. The scholarships are for the full or partial cost of tuition less any financial aid, awards or grants that reduce the level of tuition. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in college in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. This scholarship program will be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine. The Finance Authority of Maine, which is Continued on Page 4... For the most current information, visit 03/28/2013 III Impact III 3

4 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 3...) given routine technical rule-making authority, may adjust these eligibility requirements to control expenditures or increase participation in the program. LD 1261, An Act To Improve Access for Maine Students to Postsecondary Education. (Rep. Libby, D-Lewiston) Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. This bill provides a full tuition waiver at any campus of the Maine Community College System or the University of Maine System for Maine high school students who graduate in the top 10% of their graduating class and who meet financial need qualifications. ENVIRONMENTAL LD 1050, An Act Requiring the Labeling of Food Packaging That Contains Bisphenol A. (Rep. Devin, D-Newcastle) Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. This bill requires that products containing bisphenol A, or BPA, that are designed to hold or contain products that are ingested or consumed by humans must be labeled as containing BPA. LD 1059, An Act To Protect Maine s Environment and Natural Resources Jeopardized by Mining. (Rep. Chipman, I-Portland) ` Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. This bill repeals changes to the mining laws enacted in 2012 and scheduled to take effect June 1, 2014 and authorizes the Maine Land Use Planning Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt emergency rules as necessary. LD 1186, An Act To Allow Removal of Trees for Shoreline Stabilization Adjacent to Coastal Wetlands under the Natural Resources Protection Act. (Rep. Campbell, R-Orrington) Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. This bill exempts from the permit requirements under the Natural Resources Protection Act the cutting or clearing of a shrub, tree or other woody vegetation that has the condition of being naturally uprooted or partially uprooted and this condition threatens sedimentation in or the stability or erosion of a shoreline of a coastal wetland. Continued on Page 6... Regional Business Breakfasts Please find below the marketing opportunities available for our Regional Business Breakfast Meetings. The Maine State Chamber is working to bring together business leaders on a regional level through our Regional Business Breakfast Meetings. At these events, you will have an opportunity to share your expertise and input for moving Maine s economic future in a positive direction. To take advantage of this effective opportunity to showcase your company, please contact Melody Rousseau by calling (207) , ext. 102, or by ing melodyr@mainechamber.org. SERIES SPONSORS $1,800 (includes all nine events) These six premium benefits at eight firstclass events provide you with targeted, strategic marketing opportunities, all for one low price! Ÿ Company name included on each invitation for each event; Ÿ Company name linked from our website for each event; Ÿ Complimentary one-column/half-page ad in IMPACT; Ÿ Listing on all promotional material for each event; Ÿ Company name on sponsor sign of each event; and, Ÿ Sponsors announced and thanked at each event. PREMIER SPONSOR $900 (one per location) Ÿ Company name included on the invitation of each event chosen; Ÿ Company name linked from our website for the event of your choice; Ÿ Complimentary two-column/half-page ad in IMPACT; Ÿ Listing on all promotional material for the event of your choice (newsletter ads, etc.); Ÿ Company name on sponsor sign of the event chosen; and, Sponsors announced and thanked at the selected event(s). PRESENTING SPONSORS $750 (select your preferred location) Ÿ Company name included on the invitation of each event chosen; June 2013; 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 18: Hampton Inn, 425 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville Thursday, June 20: Inn at Brunswick Station, 4 Noble St., Brunswick Tuesday, June 25: USM L/A Campus, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston Thursday, June 27: University College, 232 Main Street, South Paris Tuesday, July 9: Location TBD, Bangor Wed., July 10: University of Maine, Presque Isle July 2013: Dates TBD, pending Legislative Calendar; 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sanford region and Portland region. Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Company name linked from our website for the event of your choice; Complimentary one-column, half-page ad in IMPACT; Listing on all promotional material for the event chosen (newsletter ads, etc.); Company name on sponsor sign of the event chosen; and, Sponsors announced and thanked at the selected event(s). SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS. $650 (two per location) Ÿ Company name included on the invitation of each event chosen; Ÿ Skirted table (up to 6 ft), to display promotional material which will have someone available to converse with attendees; Ÿ Registration table will display a sign directing attendees to the Social Spotlight table(s); Ÿ Listing on all promotional material for the event chosen (newsletter ads, etc.); Ÿ Company name on sponsor sign of the event chosen; and, Ÿ Sponsors announced and thanked at the event(s) chosen. Official Sponsor $500 (select your preferred location) Ÿ Company name included on the invitation of the event(s) chosen; Ÿ Listing on all promotional material for the event chosen (newsletter ads, etc.); Ÿ Company name on sponsor sign of the event chosen; and, Ÿ Sponsors announced and thanked at the event(s) chosen. 4 III Impact III 03/28/2013 For the most current information, visit

5 Public Hearings Public hearings are open to everyone. This public hearing schedule is subject to change. Questions may be directed to the Secretary of the Senate s Office at (207) For the most current schedule, please visit or contact the committee clerk. Monday, April 1, 2013 Taxation 10:00 a.m., Statehouse, Room 127 LD 401, An Act To Provide Local Sales Tax Increment Disbursements (Rep. Chase of Wells) LD 1109, An Act To Clarify the Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program Tax Credit (Rep. Stanley of Medway) Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 208 LD 1033, An Act To Help the Unemployed Find Work (Rep. Parry of Arundel) LD 1035, An Act To Report Certain Information in Response to Growing Financial Inequality (Rep. McGowan of York) Taxation 1:00 p.m., Statehouse, Room 127 LD 614 (Work Session), An Act To Adjust Fuel Taxes To Improve Sustainability (Rep. Peoples of Westbrook) LD 996 (Work Session), An Act To Improve the Accuracy of Fuel Tax Reporting (Sen. Thibodeau of Waldo) Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Judiciary 1:00 p.m., Statehouse, Room 438 LD 680, An Act To Nullify the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Rep. Libby of Waterboro) Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 208 LD 1087, An Act Concerning Workers Compensation and Short-term Disability Insurance in Maine (Sen. Tuttle of York) Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Education and Cultural Affairs 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 202 LD 623, An Act To Promote the Attainment of Higher Education Degrees (Rep. Pouliot of Augusta) LD 962, An Act To Increase Access to Higher Education (Rep. Chipman of Portland) Environment and Natural Resources 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 216 LD 674, An Act To Clarify the Natural Resources Protection Act (Rep. Libby of Waterboro) LD 793, An Act Clarifying the Department of Environmental Protection s Authority Relating to Compensation for Development Activity under the Natural Resources Protection Act (Rep. Campbell of Orrington) LD 794, An Act To Amend Setback Requirements and Standards Related to Species Migration under the Laws Regulating Development near Vernal Pools (Rep. Campbell of Orrington) Thursday, April 4, 2013 Insurance and Financial Services 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 220 LD 83, An Act To Protect Health Insurance Ratepayers from Undocumented Rate Increases (Sen. Patrick of Oxford) LD 102, An Act To Improve Health Insurance Transparency (Rep. Goode of Bangor) LD 161, An Act To Prohibit a Health Insurance Carrier from Establishing a Separate Premium Rate Based on Geographic Area (Rep. Luchini of Ellsworth) LD 225, An Act To Restore Consumer Rate Review for Health Insurance Plans in the Individual and Small Group Markets (Rep. Libby of Lewiston) LD 681, An Act To Improve Oversight of Insurance Rates and Ensure Consistency with Federal Law (Rep. Treat of Hallowell) LD 776, An Act To Amend the Laws Related to Rate and Form Filings (Rep. Beck of Waterville) LD 1176, An Act To Require Health Insurers To Use One Geographic Area as Permitted by the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Sen. Gratwick of Penobscot) Monday, April 8, 2013 Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 208 LD 1157, An Act To Establish the Fair Chance for Employment Act (Rep. Russell of Portland) LD 1195, An Act To Protect the Privacy of Job Applicants (Rep. Jones of Freedom) LD 1201, An Act To Protect Employees from Abusive Work Environments (Rep. Gideon of Freeport) Taxation 1:00 p.m., Statehouse, Room 127 LD 563, An Act To Clarify Tax Increment Financing (Rep. Rochelo of Biddeford) Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Criminal Justice and Public Safety 1:00 p.m., Statehouse, Room 436 LD 265, An Act To Repeal the Restriction on Employers Regarding Firearms Kept in an Employee s Vehicle (Sen. Gerzofsky of Cumberland) Energy, Utilities and Technology 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 211 LD 1146, An Act To Encourage the Use of Renewable Energy (Rep. Dorney of Norridgewock) Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 1:00 p.m., Cross Building, Room 208 LD 443, An Act To Amend the Maine Workers Compensation Act of 1992 To Provide Benefits to Seriously Injured Workers (Sen. Jackson of Aroostook) LD 444, An Act To Improve Workers Compensation Coverage for All Injured Workers (Sen. Jackson of Aroostook) LD 690, An Act To Ensure Efficiency in the Unemployment Insurance System (Rep. Herbig of Belfast) LD 949, An Act To Ensure the Proportional Offset against Retirement Benefits of Workers Compensation Awards (Sen. Johnson of Lincoln) Insurance and Financial Services 2:30 p.m., Cross Building, Room 220 LD 706, An Act To Amend the Workers Compensation Self-insurance Laws (Sen. Tuttle of York) Thursday, April 11, 2013 Insurance and Financial Services 9:00 a.m., Cross Building, Room 220 LD 546, An Act To Improve Transparency and Oversight of the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association and To Make Changes Necessary To Comply with Federal Continued on Page 6... For the most current information, visit 03/28/2013 III Impact III 5

6 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 4...) HEALTH CARE LD 1094, An Act To Fully Implement Health Insurance Exchanges and To Make Maine Law Consistent with Federal Law. (Sen. Woodbury, I- Cumberland) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. This bill seeks to do three things, first, it establishes the Maine Health Exchange Advisory Board to advise the Federal Government, Governor and Legislature on the implementation and operation of a health exchange in this State pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The advisory board is composed of 17 members, including 5 members who are Legislators. Second, it suspends the authority of the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association from January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2016 or until such time as the transitional reinsurance program administered by the federal Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is no longer operational. This Part also directs the Board of Directors of the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association to amend Public Hearings... (Continued from Page 5...) Law (Rep. Treat of Hallowell) LD 547, An Act To Ensure the Accountability of Taxpayer Funds and State Collaboration, Planning and Oversight in the Implementation and Operation of a Health Exchange in Maine (Rep. Treat of Hallowell) LD 812, An Act To Create an Open Enrollment Period Consistent with Federal Regulations for Health Insurance Exchanges (Rep. Beck of Waterville) LD 1049, An Act To Establish an Insurance Exchange (Rep. Campbell of Newfield) LD 1094, An Act To Fully Implement Health Insurance Exchanges and To Make Maine Law Consistent with Federal Law (Sen. Woodbury of Cumberland) LD 1162, An Act To Ensure the Rights of Patients (Sen. Jackson of Aroostook) LD 1167, An Act Regarding the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association (Sen. Whittemore of Somerset) the association s plan of operation and submit an amendment to the plan of operation on or before October 1, 2013 to the Superintendent of Insurance for approval. Third and lastly, it expands medical coverage under the MaineCare program to adults with family incomes up to 133% of the nonfarm income official poverty line and qualifies Maine to receive federal funding for 100% of the cost of coverage for members who enroll under the expansion. Adults eligible are those 21 years of age to 64 years of age beginning January 1, 2014 and those 19 years of age and 20 years of age beginning October 1, LD 1162, An Act To Ensure the Rights of Patients. (Sen. Jackson, D-Aroostook) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. A concept draft, this bill proposes to enact measures designed to ensure the rights of patients, which may include proposals to: protect a patient s rights in the health insurance market, enhance accountability for hospitals and health care providers to improve quality and efficiency of care;, increase the transparency of charges and expenses of hospitals and health care providers; and facilitate the purchase of health care coverage by individuals and small businesses by establishing a state health insurance exchange pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. LD 1236, An Act To Amend the Maine Insurance Code To Ensure Fair and Reasonable Coverage and Reimbursement of Chiropractic Services. (President Alfond, D- Cumberland) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. This bill requires that coverage and payment by health insurers and health maintenance organizations for services within the scope of practice of chiropractic doctors be at least equal to and consistent with coverage for services provided by allopathic or osteopathic doctors. It requires insurers to provide benefits covering and paying for care by chiropractic doctors at least equal to and consistent with the benefits paid to other health care providers treating similar conditions within the scope of practice of chiropractic doctors. Under the bill, these carriers may not classify services provided by chiropractic doctors as physical therapy or place these services into other categories that unreasonably limit coverage or payments for such services, or impose copayments, coinsurance requirements or deductibles that are more burdensome or limiting than those imposed with respect to services provided by allopathic or osteopathic doctors. INSURANCE LD 1167, An Act Regarding the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association. (Sen. Whittemore, R- Somerset) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. This bill suspends the authority of the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 or until such time as the transitional reinsurance program administered by the federal Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is no longer operational. LD 1176, An Act To Require Health Insurers To Use One Geographic Area as Permitted by the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (Sen. Gratwick, D-Penobscot) Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. As permitted by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, this bill requires health insurance carriers to use only one rating area based on geography within the State when establishing rates for individual and small group health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2014 LABOR LD 1069, An Act To Provide Flexibility in the State Prevailing Wage and Benefit Rates. (Rep. DeChant, D-Bath) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. This bill allows flexibility in the minimum hourly wage and benefit rates for workers employed in the construction of public works by the State or persons contracting with the State by allowing any allocation between hourly wage and benefit rates, as long as the sum of the hourly wage and benefit rates equals the sum of the appropriate hourly wage and benefit rates determined by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards. 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7 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 6...) LD 1157, An Act To Establish the Fair Chance for Employment Act. (Rep. Russell, D-Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. This bill makes anumber of changes to maine employment law: It prohibits employers from refusing to consider for employment or offer employment to an individual based on the individual s status as employed or unemployed. Employers are also prohibited from advertising that current employment status is a qualification or requirement for a job or that the employer will not consider an applicant based on current employment status. Employers are prohibited from directing an employment agency to take current employment status into consideration when screening or referring applicants; prohibits employment agencies from failing to consider or refer applicants based on employment status, advertising that employment status is a qualification or requirement for a job or that an employer will not consider applicants based on current employment status or discriminating against individuals in any manner that may limit their access to information about jobs or limit the individuals number of referrals for consideration of jobs because of their current employment status; prohibits online job websites from publishing any advertisement for a job vacancy that includes any provision requiring or indicating that current employment status is a qualification or requirement for a job or that an employer will not consider applicants for employment based on current employment status; prohibits an employer or employment agency from interfering with individuals exercising their rights under this Act or otherwise discriminating against individuals for opposing any practice made illegal by this Act. It also prohibits discriminating against any individual who has filed a complaint or caused to be instituted any proceeding under this Act or who otherwise gives or may give information or testimony in connection with any inquiry or proceeding under this Act; requires employers to keep records with respect to compliance with this act; it cre- ates a right for a person who has been affected by a violation under this Act to bring a civil action against the employer or employment agency responsible. A person may bring a civil action on behalf of another individual who has been affected by a violation of this Act or a group of individuals similarly situated.; it grants the Department of Labor the power to file a civil action on behalf of an individual or group of individuals against an employer or employment agency that violates the Act. Once the director begins such a lawsuit, there is no more private right to a civil action on behalf of the individual and would not prohibit employment decisions or advertisements when a requirement related to employment status is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to successful performance in the job. It also would not preclude an employer from considering employment history or the reasons underlying an individual s employment status. LD 1194, An Act To Protect Social Media Privacy in School and the Workplace. (Rep. McClellan, R- Raymond) Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. This bill prohibits an employer or educational institution, whether public or private, from requiring or requesting an employee or a student, or a prospective employee or student, to disclose the username or account password for a personal social media account or account or to otherwise provide the employer or institution with access to those accounts. LD 1195, An Act To Protect the Privacy of Job Applicants. (Rep. Jones, D- Freedom) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. This bill prohibits employers and agents of employers from obtaining consumer reports that contain information regarding creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, debts, check-writing experience or insurability of an employee or prospective employee, and prohibits consumer reporting agencies from furnishing this information to anyone for employment purposes. This bill also creates a civil penalty of $500 to $1,000 applicable to employers or their agents for each violation of this law. Consumer reporting agencies may still furnish, and employers and their agents may still obtain, con- sumer reports on an employee or prospective employee that contain information regarding character, general reputation and personal characteristics. LD 1201, An Act To Protect Employees from Abusive Work Environments. (Rep. Gideon, D-Freeport) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. This bill provides legal relief for employees who have been harmed psychologically, physically or economically by exposure to abusive work environments. Employees and employers who subject an employee to an abusive work environment are liable, and employers are vicariously liable for the abusive workplace conduct of their employees, in a private civil action brought by the affected employee. The legal remedies made available by this bill do not limit any other legal rights of an individual, except that workers compensation benefits received under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 39-A for the same injury or illness must be reimbursed from compensation that is earned through the legal remedies made available by this bill. REGULATORY REFORM LD 1039, An Act To Promote Regulatory Fairness. (Sen. Thomas, R- Somerset) Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. This bill establishes standards for relief when state regulation takes value from an individual property owner, as well as efficient mechanisms for pursuit of such relief. To eliminate any fiscal impact from the establishment of these new standards and mechanisms, they will apply only to burdens from regulations enacted in the future. The bill provides mechanisms designed to achieve fair results and to resolve disputes efficiently, including the ability to grant variances, which is an option consistent with general land use principles. TAXATION LD 988, An Act to Amend the Tax Laws. (Sen. Haskell, D-Cumberland) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing taxation. Continued on Page 9... For the most current information, visit 03/28/2013 III Impact III 7

8 Participate in democracy... Maine s Path of Legislation Source: State of Maine s web site IDEA DEVELOPED: A legislator decides to sponsor a bill, sometimes at the suggestion of a constituent, interest group, public official, or the governor. The legislator may ask other legislators in either chamber to join as co-sponsors. BILL INTRODUCED: The legislator gives the bill to the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate. The bill is numbered, a suggested committee recommendation is made and the bill is printed. The bill is placed on the respective body's calendar. REPORTING BILLS FROM COMMITTEE: Committee reports shall include one of the following recommendations: Ÿ Ought to Pass; Ÿ Ought to Pass as Amended; Ÿ Ought to Pass in New Draft; Ÿ Ought Not to Pass; Ÿ Refer to Another Committee; or, Ÿ Unanimous Ought Not to Pass. With the exception of Unanimous Ought Not to Pass, a plurality of the committee may vote to make one of the other recommendations. When this occurs, a minority report or reports are required. BILL DRAFTED: At the legislator's direction, the Revisor's Office, Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, and Office of Fiscal and Program Review staff provides research and drafting assistance and prepares the bill in proper technical form. GENERAL ORDER: When the bill is reported to the floor it receives its first reading and any committee amendments are adopted at this time. The committee reports the bill to the originating body as is, with amendment, with a divided report, or with a unanimous recommendation of Ought Not to Pass. COMMITTEE ACTION: When scheduled by the chairs, the committee conducts a public hearing where it accepts testimony supporting and opposing the proposed legislation from any interested party. Notices of public hearings are printed in newspapers with statewide distribution. SECOND READING: The next legislative day the bill is given its second reading and floor amendments may be offered. When one chamber has passed the bill to be engrossed, it is sent to the other body for its consideration. The House has a consent calendar for unanimous Ought to Pass or Ought to Pass as Amended bills which takes the place of First and Second readings. COMMITTEE REFERENCE: The bill is referred to one of the Joint Standing or Joint Select committees in the originating branch and then sent to the other body for concurrence. SECOND CHAMBER: The bill goes through a s i m i l a r process. If the second chamber amends the bill, it is returned to the first chamber for a vote on the changes. It may then be sent to a conference committee to work out a compromise agreeable to both chambers. A bill receives final legislative approval when it passes both chambers in identical form. LAW: A bill becomes law 90 days after the end of the legislative session in which it was passed. A bill can become law immediately if the Legislature, by a two-thirds vote of each chamber, declares that an emergency exists. An emergency law takes effect on the date the governor signs it unless otherwise specified in its text. If a bill is vetoed, it will become law if the Legislature overrides the veto by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting of both chambers. GOVERNOR: After final passage (enactment) the bill is sent to the governor. The governor has 10 days in which to sign or veto the bill. If the governor does not sign the bill and the legislature is still in session, the bill after 10 days becomes law as if the governor signed it. If the legislature has adjourned for the year the bill does not become law. This is called a pocket veto. If the legislature comes back into special session, the governor on the fourth day must deliver a veto message to the chamber of origin or the bill becomes law. 8 III Impact III 03/28/2013 For the most current information, visit

9 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 7...) 1. It clarifies that in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36 board refers to the Maine Board of Tax Appeals only in certain provisions. 2. It clarifies language regarding a taxpayer s appeal rights by eliminating references to an informal conference. It also clarifies that a taxpayer is not limited to filing an appeal with the Superior Court when appealing a reconsideration decision. It makes those changes retroactive. 3. It corrects a reference to the state telecommunications excise tax under Title 36, section 187-B. 4. It deletes an obsolete reference to watercraft under Title 36, section 1760, subsection It amends the law applying the sales and use tax to casual sales of certain items, including automobiles, so that the tax does not apply when the purchaser is a corporation or other business entity and the seller owns 50% or more of the stock or other ownership interests of the purchaser. 6. It adds to the law governing the method of computing the amount of tax imposed on the gross direct premiums from insurance contracts a cross-reference to a recently enacted provision of law regarding taxation of nonadmitted insurance coverage. 7. It removes the requirement to modify the federal gross estate by the Maine qualified terminable interest property in order to avoid skewing the ratio that is applied to determine the Maine estate tax. 8. It amends the Maine estate tax law related to estates of decedents dying after 2012 pertaining to the filing requirement for the Maine estate tax to include Maine elective property and only gifts made within one year before death. 9. It simplifies and clarifies the statutory provisions that impose the Maine blueberry tax and associated reporting requirements. 10. It amends the provision regarding the income subtraction modification of military survivor benefit payments to clarify that the modification is limited to benefits paid on a death resulting from military service. It also adds a cross-reference to the individual income tax pension deduction law that applies to tax years beginning after It repeals and replaces the provision regarding the income subtraction modification for non-maine active duty military pay in order to clarify under what conditions the military pay is eligible for the modification. 12. It repeals the definition of a term relevant to the new markets capital investment credit that was erroneously included in the section of law governing the Maine capital investment credit and inserts that definition into the relevant provision. These changes are made retroactive to the effective date of the law enacting the new markets capital investment credit. 13. It deletes changes to the minimum tax credit made in Public Law 2011, chapter 644, section 27 that require the credit to be reduced by certain other refundable tax credits claimed by the taxpayer. LD 989, An Act to Conform the Maine Tax laws for 2012 to the United States Internal Revenue Code. (Sen. Haskell, D-Cumberland) Emergency Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill updates references to the United States Internal Revenue Code contained in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36 so that they refer to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended through December 31, 2012 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2012 and for any prior tax years as specifically provided by the United States Internal Revenue Code of The bill primarily affects the State s income tax laws LD 996, An Act to Improve the Accuracy of Fuel Tax Reporting. (Sen. Thibodeau, R-Wadlo) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill improves the accuracy of Maine s fuel taxes by taking temperature into account when calculating inventory taxes on internal combustion engine fuel and special fuel. Given Maine s climate, fuel distributors, wholesalers, importers and exporters experience fuel shrinkage during cold weather periods. Currently, taxes are based on gross fuel amounts without adjustments for temperature or barometric pressure. This bill provides consistency with practices in other states by requiring that fuel be measured in gallons after it is adjusted to a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a barometric pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch or in gross gallons if elected by the licensed supplier or licensed distributor. LD 1113, An Act To Provide Tax Fairness to Maine s Middle Class and Working Families. (Rep. Berry, D- Bowdoinham) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes emergency legislation to accomplish the following goals: 1. To equalize the total state and local effective tax rate paid by lowincome, middle-income and highincome Maine tax filers; 2. To partially fund the income and estate tax reductions of Public Law 2011, chapter 380 by providing revenue of between $150,000,000 and $250,000,000 over the next 2 years; and, 3. To maintain an equalized state and local tax rate while enabling future changes that may also simplify Maine s tax code, stabilize revenues and reduce the tax burden on Maine residents. To accomplish these goals, the bill proposes to establish a tax equalization assessment on those income tax filers who have an annual income equal to or exceeding $250,000, but whose total effective state and local tax rate is lower than the average effective state and local tax rate for all other Maine households. The tax equalization assessment must bring the total effective state and local tax rate of these tax filers to the average rate paid by all other Maine households, as determined by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services. The tax equalization assessment must be structured for both administrative simplicity and tax parity and must apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, Continued on Page For the most current information, visit 03/28/2013 III Impact III 9

10 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 9...) The bill also proposes to establish a tax equalization credit for those income tax filers who have an annual income below $125,000, but who pay a total effective state and local tax rate that is significantly higher than the average effective state and local tax rate for all other Maine households. The tax equalization credit may be structured as an expansion of an existing credit or refund or may replace and enhance such credits or refunds. The tax equalization credit must be funded entirely by the tax equalization assessment and must bring the total effective state and local tax rate of these tax filers as nearly as possible to the average rate paid by all other Maine households, as determined by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services. The tax equalization credit must be structured for both administrative simplicity and tax parity and must be made effective beginning January 1, For the purposes of calculating the tax equalization assessment and credit, the rate impact of the tax equalization assessment and credit from the previous year must be excluded from the determination of the average effective state and local tax rate paid by all Maine households. In addition, the bill proposes that the State Tax Assessor be required to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters each year with respect to the total effective state and local tax rate for Maine residents, nonresidents and businesses, as well as the aggregate rate impact of the tax equalization assessment and credit. Upon receiving this report, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters is authorized to report out legislation to simplify and to further equalize the tax code, as well as legislation to repeal or modify the tax equalization assessment and credit once it determines the overall state and local tax burden to be fair and proportionate for all. LD 1120, An Act To Improve Maine s Tax Laws. (Rep. Goode, D-Bangor) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to improve the tax laws by: 1. Amending the law to reduce the use of so-called off-shore tax havens, thus reducing the loss of revenue to the State; and 2. Establishing a task force to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the biennial report of tax expenditures prepared by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, chapter 10. The task force shall identify any tax expenditures that may be reduced or eliminated with the goal of achieving a targeted savings of $30,000,000 in fiscal year LD 1124, An Act To Provide Income Tax Relief. (Rep. Stuckey, D-Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill reforms the Maine income tax by establishing a rate structure that includes 6 income tax bracket thresholds with top marginal tax rates from 0% to 10%. The income thresholds for each rate are calculated by the State Tax Assessor every 5 years to maintain the same level of progressivity of the tax by maintaining the same percentage of taxpayers in each top marginal rate category. LD 1126, An Act Regarding Corporate Income Tax Disclosure. (Rep. Stuckey, D-Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill requires a corporation that files a tax return with the State to file a tax disclosure statement with the Secretary of State. It requires the Secretary of State to adopt major substantive rules for the content of the tax disclosure statement, an alternative tax disclosure statement, procedures and fees to provide public access to the tax disclosure statements, oversight and penalties for failing to file or filing an inaccurate tax disclosure statement. It permits a corporation that files a tax disclosure statement to submit supplemental information that could facilitate proper interpretation of the information included in the tax disclosure statement. It requires a corporation that files an amended tax return or with a tax liability that is changed as the result of an uncontested audit adjustment or final determination by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services, the Maine Board of Tax Appeals or Superior Court to file a revised tax disclosure statement within 60 calendar days of filing the amended return or the final determination. It requires the Secretary of State to make the tax disclosure statement available to the public on an ongoing basis in the form of a searchable database accessible through the Internet. It requires the chief operating officer of a corporation to attest in writing to the accuracy of the tax disclosure statement. It requires the Bureau of Revenue Services to act as the agent of the Secretary of State to audit a corporation s tax disclosure. It requires the Secretary of State to publish the name of and penalty imposed upon a corporation subject to a penalty for failing to file or filing an inaccurate tax disclosure statement. It permits the disclosure by employees of the Bureau of Revenue Services to designated representatives of the Secretary of State of information required by the Secretary of State for the administration of the tax disclosure statement. LD 1141, An Act To Increase the Sales Tax To Support Revenue Sharing. (Representative Theriault, D- Madawaska) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill imposes an additional 1% sales tax if the amount of revenue transferred for revenue sharing is less than 5% for the prior fiscal year. If in the subsequent year the amount of revenue transferred for revenue sharing is at least 5%, the sales tax rates revert to the statutory rates for the next fiscal year. LD 1206, An Act to Ensure Equity in the Taxation of Food Items. (Rep. MacDonald, D-Boothbay) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to change the way the sales and use tax is applied to grocery staples, which are tax-exempt under the law except when sold in small quantities for individual use. LD 1227, An Act to Promote Tourism and Economic Development. (Rep. Chipman, I-Portland) Joint Standing Continued on Page III Impact III 03/28/2013 For the most current information, visit

11 New Legislation... (Continued from Page 10...) Committee on Taxation. This bill increases the sales tax on lodging from 7% to 12% beginning October 1, Sixty percent of the revenue attributable to the tax increase is distributed to the Tourism Marketing Promotion Fund, and 40% is distributed to the municipality in which the living quarters that generated the revenue are located. LD 1255, Resolve, To Provide Greater Depth and Transparency to the Review of Forgone Revenue Identified in the Biennial Tax Expenditure Report. (Rep. Stuckey, D-Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This resolve requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services to contract with an independent academic policy analysis organization by March 1, 2014 to review, analyze and develop options that would permit the Legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of tax expenditures and present a report of its work to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters of the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. LD 1256, An Act to Establish Tax Fairness. (Rep. Chipman, I-Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. This bill creates a new top income tax rate of 8.5%. The new rate is imposed on taxable income over $100,000 for single individuals and married persons filing separately, on income over $110,000 for taxpayers filing as heads of households and on income over $120,000 for individuals filing married joint returns or surviving spouses. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LD 1198, An Act To Protect Earned Pay. (Rep. Herbig, D-Belfast) Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. Under the current law passed last session, a person who receives or is scheduled to receive remuneration in the form of vacation pay in excess of 4 weeks wages or holiday pay is disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits for the week that remuneration is due. This bill removes those disqualifications. UTILITIES AND ENERGY LD 1060, An Act To Address Rising Electric Transmission Rates. (Rep. Newendyke, R-Litchfield) Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy. This bill requires that the Public Utilities Commission may not issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a transmission line unless a description of the need for the proposed transmission line is provided; an analysis of nontransmission alternatives is conducted by an independent 3rd party selected by the Public Utilities Commission; the projected cost of the proposed transmission line is compared to the projected cost of feasible nontransmission alternatives based on total projected costs, regardless of who pays; preference is given to lower-cost alternatives; cleaner alternatives are given preference over alternatives that rely on fossil fuels; the Public Utilities Commission makes specific findings as to whether alternatives can address the identified need at lower total cost; and all costeffective energy efficiency and demand response resources are being acquired in the applicable service territory of the utility that has proposed the project. LD 1145, An Act To Help Homeowners Reduce Heating Costs through Energy Efficiency. (Rep. Chapman, D- Brooksville) Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy. This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to extend resources to the Efficiency Maine Trust to facilitate coordination of services, such as weatherization, heat pumping, heating oil efficiency programs and other energy conservation strategies. LD 1178, An Act To Encourage the Use of Biofuels in the State. (Sen. Saviello, R-Franklin) Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. This bill requires that a seller provide documentation of the amount of biofuel in certain blended products at the time of sale. It allows a buyer of these blended products to rely on the information contained in this documentation and relieves the buyer of liability arising from this reliance. LD 1252, An Act To Improve Maine s Economy and Energy Security with Solar and Wind Energy. (Rep. Morrison, D-South Portland) Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy. This bill reinstates the solar and wind energy rebate program, which provided rebates for the purchase of certain solar and wind energy equipment, until June 30, The program had expired December 31, This bill also increases the limit on the total amount of renewable capacity allowed under the community-based renewable energy pilot program from 50 megawatts to 60 megawatts and requires the Public Utilities Commission to reserve 10 megawatts in that program for solar-powered generating systems. The bill increases the limit on the contract price the commission can authorize for eligible solarpower generation and indexes the price limit to the Consumer Price Index. It also extends the repeal date for the Community-based Renewable Energy Act from December 31, 2015 to December 31, The bill requires the commission to submit to the Legislature by January 15, 2014 a report on options for establishing a solar carve-out, or solar set-aside, an amount of energy purchased that must be solar, within the State s renewable portfolio standard. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LD 1132, An Act to Achieve Economic Growth by Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education and To Meet Workforce Needs. (Sen. Cain, D- Penobscot) Joint Select Committee on Maine s Workforce and Economic Future. This bill authorizes and provides funding for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to establish the office of executive director to provide leadership and management expertise that will assist the council in achieving its goals. For the most current information, visit 03/28/2013 III Impact III 11

12 Periodicals Postage Paid Lisbon, ME 125 Community Drive, Suite 101 Augusta, Maine Wed., May 15 w 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. w Statehouse Hall of Flags The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is hosting its fourth annual Business Day at the Statehouse on Wed., May 15, 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Hall of Flags (Statehouse, Second Floor). For more information or to RSVP, please contact Linda Caprara, director of grassroots advocacy, by calling (207) , ext. 106, or by ing lcaprara@mainechamber.org. With your participation, the Voice of Maine Business will resonate throughout Augusta!