ME Small Business Policy News & Information

The latest news and information from NFIB in Washington, D.C., and in Maine.

Maine Improves on CEO Magazine RankingMaine ranks 32nd on the 2012 list of “Best/Worst States for Business”, up from 36th in 2011, according to Chief Executive magazine.
LePage Job Approval Rating ModeratesA recent poll shows movement in Governor LePage's approval rating.
Maine Moves Up in RankingDirector David Clough reports that Maine's standing has improved in a national ranking.
New Laws Affect Wide Range of Business ActivityIn the wake of the legislative session, which recessed last month and resumes in two weeks to finish up, there are several new laws that will have a broad effect on business operations – and some laws whose effect will be more targeted.
Scaled-Back WC Reform Enacted in Close VoteYour contacts with lawmakers proved helpful. A scaled-back but still important workers' compensation reform bill (LD 1913) was enacted after an intense few days of political wrangling in the Senate and business lobbying in the House.
Small Business Urges Legislators to Support "Majority Ought to Pass" Report on the Proposed Workers' Compensation Bill (LD1913)The proposed Workers Comp Bill coming out today or tomorrow is a comprehensive set of changes to Maine’s Workers’ Compensation Law intended to maintain the balance of controlling costs for employers and providing benefits to injured workers.
WC, UC, IC Bills Faced Mixed Reception in LegislatureAs legislators enter the final days of the 2012 session, several important bills affecting business employment costs are running into a mixed reception.
Health Insurance Rate Law Tweak Being ConsideredThe calculation of premium costs for small employer groups (1-50 employees) may get tweaked by legislation that is working its way through the Senate and House (LD 1760 as amended).
Annual Growth Report Highlights Progress, Challenges for MaineThe 2012 edition of “Measures of Growth” indicates Maine has made progress in some key areas but needs to put a priority on making progress in other areas that are vital to Maine's economy and wellbeing of its residents.
UC Anti-Fraud Bill Moves Ahead with Split Committee VoteA Governor's Bill (LD 1725) to combat unemployment benefit fraud, increase return to work incentives, and restore the offset for vacation pay was voted along party lines in the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Economic Development (LCRED).
New Independent Contractor Employment Test EndorsedA re-write of who is an independent contractor that creates a uniform standard in both unemployment and workers' compensation law is headed to the full legislature with strong backing from the committee that handles labor issues.
NFIB Thanks Snowe for Her Remarkable Service to MaineDirector David Clough today described US Senator Olympia Snowe as a selfless advocate for the state of Maine and especially for the small business community.
Brief Summaries of Important IssuesDirector David Clough provides thumbnail sketches of important issues this legislative session.
New Reports Opens Debate on Workers CompensationDirector David Clough discusses a new report that touches off a debate over the state's workers compensation system.
Independent Contractor Bill Presented to LegislatureDirector David Clough reports on legislation introduced recently that would affect the definition of independent contractor.
Temporary Health Insurance Premium Fix Mulled for Very Small EmployersDirector David Clough reports on legislation aimed at reducing health insurance premiums for small companies.
NFIB Resists Unemployment Expense ChangeDirector David Clough reports on discussions in Augusta that would change when employers get charged for unemployment expenses for former employees.
Small Business Gives High Marks to Governor's AddressDirector David Clough this week said Governor LePage's recent State of the State Address lays out a clear plan for small business growth in Maine.
Small Business Applauds LePage's State of the StateDirector David Clough said that Governor Paul LePage's State of the State address was a powerful confirmation of the importance of small business to the state's economy.
NFIB Works On New Independent Contractor TestA large group of stakeholders will meet Friday to consider a revised independent contractor test that would create a uniform approach for the classification of workers.
Actuary Briefs Legislators on Effects of Health Insurance Reform LawsGorman Actuarial, which last May analyzed the insurance market effects of the federal Affordable Care Act and last fall the effects of Maine's health insurance reform law (PL 90), told legislators this week that both laws will have positive effects but create volatility until things settle down.
Bill Cracks Down on UI Benefit FraudDirector David Clough reports on legislation that gets tough on unemployment insurance benefits fraud.
Competition Expands in WC MarketAccording to a recent state report, the number of insurers competing for in the workers comp market increased more this year than any time in the past decade.
Governor Says Small Business Success Is Key to Maine Economy“First, we must give our small businesses the chance to succeed,” said Gov. Paul LePage in talking about the building blocks of economic recovery during his most recent weekly radio address.
Further Cuts in WC Costs Approved – 7% OverallA recently-approved reduction in the core measure of workers compensation costs has been supplemented by a further rate decrease that results from the Workers Compensation Board finally approving a medical fee schedule, amounting to a cumulative decrease of over $13 million in 2012.
Electricity Rates May Get Lower in 2012A key component of electricity prices – the standard offer rate – will be lower in 2012 for small commercial customers, reports the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
UI Tax Rates Go Up in 2012Unemployment tax rates will increase an average of 2.3 percent in 2012, which translates into an annual increase of $2.40 to $18 per worker depending on the claims experience of a particular employer.
WC Premium Rates May Go Down in 2012A major component of workers compensation premium rates – loss costs – will go down an average of 3.2 percent in 2012, a savings of about $6.1 million.
Economy, Politics Scale Back 2012 LegislationA combination of economic conditions (weak tax revenue picture) and political change (Republican control) appear to be holding down the number of bills that will be considered in the 2012 legislative session.
NFIB/ME Urges Shoppers to Go Small This SeasonDirector David Clough says that shoppers can help their communities and the economy by visiting small businesses this season.
NFIB Urging Shoppers to Buy Local this WeekendDirector David Clough is urging shoppers this weekend to visit local merchants as an alternative to the crowded malls.
NFIB Applauds Snowe for Health Insurance Tax RepealDirector David Clough said today that Congress should immediately pass a bill introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe to repeal the unpopular health care tax.
Maine Small Business Cheers Supreme Court Action on Health CareDirector David Clough says that the Supreme Court's decision this week to hear the NFIB case against Obamacare could bring resolution to the issue by summer.
Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Applications AvailableNFIB members can submit nominations for the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Scholarship awards.
Small Business Cheers Supreme Court Action on ObamacareSmall business owners may get resolution to the health care issue because of the Supreme Court's decision to take the NFIB case against Obamacare, says State Director David Clough.
Bangor Daily Publishes NFIB Defense of Regulatory “Time Out” LegislationNFIB Maine state director David Clough defended federal regulatory “time out” legislation in the following op-ed the Bangor Daily News published on October 31:
Maine Economic Forecast Revised DownwardState economic growth over the next few years will be slower than previously expected, according to the latest semi-annual Maine Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission report.
NFIB Anti-Tax Position Frustrates State SenatorSen. Dick Woodbury (I-Cumberland), who has been a passionate advocate of reforming the state’s tax laws and lowering income taxes (by increasing sales tax revenues, for example), is frustrated with NFIB’s stance that current tax restructuring talks should not include ways to shift tax burdens.
Unemployment Tax Shift PossibleEmployers could see more unemployment tax shifting if an idea recently floated by some business groups gains acceptance in the legislature.
Small Business Asks Committee to Scrap Extended Sales Tax TalkDirector David Clough today said that a special committee in Augusta should stop talking about expanding the sales tax, an idea that voters roundly rejected last year.
NFIB Calls for an End to the Latest “Conversation” Aimed at Expanding Maine TaxesNFIB is calling upon legislative leaders and members of the Taxation Committee to end the latest attempt (so-called “conversation”) to expand the sales tax and possibly increase the meals and lodging as well as other taxes in trade for reducing income taxes.
Stakeholder Group Tackles Employee Misclassification IssueNFIB Maine participated the other day in a large meeting of state agency, labor union, business, nonprofit agency, and other interest group people to tackle the issue of independent contractors and employee misclassification, and the multiple tests – all different – to determine who is an employee and who is an independent contractor.
NFIB Members are Invited to Join Governor's Workshops on Job CreationGov. Paul LePage is looking for ideas to help employers create jobs, and he wants to hear directly from small-business owners like you!
Tax Reform Opens Pandora's BoxDirector David Clough says that small businesses should pay close attention to the debate over tax reform in Augusta.
Small Business Optimism PlungesDirector David Clough says that the President's jobs plan is undermined by his renewed call for higher income taxes.
Maine Small Business Urges Obama to Change DirectionDirector David Clough today urged President Obama to use his Thursday speech to strike a different course for the economy.
Impact of Affordable Care Act on Maine’s Health Insurance Market AnalyzedA preliminary analysis indicates Obamacare will have numerous and potentially significant impacts on Maine’s health insurance market including premium increases for most small employer groups (1-50 employees).
Merged Market In Maine Hurts Small EmployersSmall employers could see premiums increase 7% to 12% if Maine’s individual and small group health insurance markets were merged, according to a new report.
Navigating the Claims Process After Hurricane IreneHere's what you need to know when it comes time to filing a claim on your home or small business.
Resources and Tips for Rebuilding and Recovering from Hurricane IreneHere's a list of websites and advice to get you started as you reopen after the storm.

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