Enough signatures have been collected to give Maine voters the chance in June to approve or reject the tax reform law that was enacted earlier this year.
Instead of making healthcare more affordable, H.R. 3962 imposes more costs through its expensive employer mandates, punitive payroll taxes and a new government-run program.
Legislation to mandate paid sick leave and allow employees to work reduced hours while collecting partial unemployment benefits are two of the hot issues expected to be introduced next year.
A survey of Maine members of the National Federation of Independent Business shows 79 percent of small business owners across the state support the TABOR proposal on the ballot this fall to place a cap on the growth of state government spending.
This latest Taxpayer Bill of Rights proposal limits growth in annual state spending in the General Fund, Highway Fund, and Other Special Revenue Funds to the rate of increase in population and inflation.
NFIB joined other business groups in defeating a paid sick leave proposal in 2008, but advocates are using coverage of the swine flu to push legislation again in 2010.
NFIB members were mixed in their views on the proposal to cut the motor vehicle excise tax that is on the November ballot. Members were almost equally divided, with 48% supporting the proposal and 47% opposed.
We will be hosting meetings in Bangor and Rockland to update area business owners on the issues affecting small business owners in Augusta and Washington, D.C.
Billed as "the book Augusta doesn't want you to read," the Maine Heritage Policy Center has released the 2009 edition of its popular "Piglet Book" that identifies specific state budget items that may be reduced or eliminated.
Over 60,000 signatures were filed to place the controversial tax reform law passed earlier this year on the June 2010 ballot for voter approval or rejection. NFIB members overwhelmingly opposed the legislation when it was rammed through the Legislature and signed into law this summer.
As a small business owner, you do not want to be caught unprepared when the flu season hits. There are steps you can take now, and during the flu season, to help protect the health of your employees.
NFIB head says president can choose to stand with small businesses who need healthcare reform.
NFIB strongly opposes the deceptively named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or "card check" because it mandates employers recognize labor unions without first holding a private-ballot employee election.
The NFIB Maine SAFE Trust PAC has made a contribution to the effort to gather 55,087 valid signatures so that the tax reform law that extended the sales tax to services can be placed on the ballot for voter approval or rejection.
Maine Revenue Services has scheduled 26 seminars throughout the state on the sales tax changes scheduled to take effect in January. The seminars start August 31 in Augusta and end October 22 in Houlton.
Independent contractors on construction projects will face new requirements under a new law with the support of building and construction associations, unions and Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company.
The biggest change in Maine tax law since 1969 was pushed through the legislature and signed by the governor in the waning days of the 2009 session. Over the strong objection of many in the business community—including overwhelming opposition from our members—the bill was signed into law.
The Following is an outline of the tax reform law enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor in June 2009. The income tax changes are substantial and somewhat complicated. The outline may be particularly useful for its listing of services that now will be subject to the 5% sales and use tax beginning January 1, 2010.
We have joined forces with a coalition of other business groups to urge Governor Baldacci to veto tax reform legislation rushed through the Legislature in under 24 hours. The Legislature acted too quickly when it enacted within a span of 24 hours the most major change in Maine tax law in 40 years, leaving up in the air many unknown effects and unresolved questions.
The Senate and House are scheduled to meet Monday-Friday this week and possibly Saturday, as the session heads toward adjournment. Key tasks remaining include enactment of the Highway Budget and agreement on bonds to present to voters for approval. We are urging the governor to veto tax reform legislation jammed through the Statehouse in 24 hours.
Maine people and small business owners are struggling to survive the worst recession in decades. More taxes could mean more hardship for businesses, customers, and more unemployment for workers. Tell the governor now is not the time to raise taxes on your business.
The Taxation Committee voted 9-4 along party lines in support of tax reform legislation, but this plan is nothing more than a tax shift disguised as reform. There would be winners and losers. In fact, more than 103,000 families would see a net tax increase in 2010 under the amended legislation.
The Senate and House are scheduled to meet Tuesday-Friday of this week. Adopting the 2010-2011, $5.8 billion state budget is the major task. The Appropriations Committee unanimously approved an amended version of the budget last week. Tax reform, family caregiver rights and the gas tax are all on deck this week.
In a “not surprised, but disappointed” action, a majority of the Judiciary Committee voted to support amended legislation (LD 962) that would establish the nation’s first civil rights protection for workers who may also be considered a family caregiver. A principal amendment to the legislation declares the new anti-discrimination protection does not require employers to give special consideration to working hours and workplace absence flexibility for family caregivers. Committee members who voted against the legislation voiced concern about the vagueness and broadness of the proposed law.
Proposed legislation printed to date is now up to LD 798. Another 800 or so bills are expected over the next several weeks. Most bills of major interest to small business are not yet printed.
Proposed legislation printed to date is now up to LD 703. Another 900 or so bills are expected over the next several weeks. Most bills of major interest to small business are not yet printed.
Proposed legislation printed to date is now up to LD 556. Another 1,000 or so bills are expected over the next several weeks. Most bills of major interest to small business are not yet printed.
The number of proposed legislation printed to date is 412. Another 1,200 or so bills are expected over the next several weeks.
A broad-based coalition called "Maine Can Do Better" is actively opposing budget cuts -- "investments in community basics" -- and by implication supporting tax increases as a way to finance the 2010-2011 state budget. The 156-member coalition does not specify which taxes or how much should be raised in new or higher taxes.
Special NFIB member update on activism in Maine, February/March 2009 edition.
Members of the 124th Legislature are getting to work slowly as they begin the long grind to a final adjournment in late June. Committees are focused on responding to Gov. John E. Baldacci's proposal to trim the current budget ending June 30 and on receiving briefings on agencies and programs under a committee's jurisdiction.
Special NFIB member legislative update on small business issues such as energy, taxes and the upcoming elections in Maine, October/November 2008 edition.
Your legislators' voting record of small business issues in Maine, 2008 edition.
Small business owners can now take an immediate deduction of up to $250,000 on federal income tax returns on the cost of certain investments made in their businesses, such as purchasing new equipment. On their Maine income tax returns, however, they may take an immediate deduction for only $25,000 -- but they must depreciate and pay a state income tax on the value of equipment purchases over that amount.
The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation has announced the Maine recipients of the sixth annual NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, a scholarship program designed to reward and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school students. The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award recipients will attend the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institute of their choice with $1,000-$10,000 in tuition assistance from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation.
A survey of Maine members of the National Federation of Independent Business released today shows 85 percent of small business owners across the state support repealing the tax increases on beer, wine, sodas and soft drink syrup. An even larger majority, 94 percent, support repealing the recently enacted tax on healthcare claims.
Gov. John E. Baldacci's proposal for funding bridge replacements and repairs is quickly making its way through the legislative process. The $160 million plan (LD 2313), initially funded by revenue bonds that would be paid off by increases in vehicle fees, is expected to involve 246 bridges including about 80 bridge replacements, according to an April 9 newspaper article. The bonds would not require voter approval.
A majority of the Natural Resources Committee is recommending passage of amended legislation (LD 2048) that would permit the state Board of Environmental Protection to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of a children's product that contains a chemical deemed harmful to children or where safer alternatives are available.
Proponents of tax reform, which could have meant more services subject to the sales tax and higher meals and lodging taxes, have backed off efforts this legislative session to seek significant changes in Maine's personal income and sales taxes.
Citing a new public opinion poll that shows a strong majority of Maine voters oppose tax increases as a solution to the state's budget problems, NFIB and other business groups gathered at the State House on March 19 to urge legislators to use spending cuts, not higher taxes, to balance the budget.
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