http://www.nfib.com/Keep up with the latest news, politics and events for small business in Maine.en-usEM3 iOnwebmaster@nfib.orghttp://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37124.htmlRegister now for a discussion on May 20 of Maine's economic outlook with special guest Ed Cervone of the Maine Development Foundation.Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37082.htmlA 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. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36890.htmlGov. 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.Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36834.htmlA 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.Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36405.htmlRep. John Piotti (Unity), co-chair of the Taxation Committee, prepared an outline of a draft proposal for tax reform and asked business groups to provide their feedback on the document. NFIB submitted a statement and spoke to the committee on March 28, saying that NFIB members were likely to oppose this latest version of tax reform and explaining some of NFIB's concerns.Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36730.htmlProponents 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.Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36649.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small business issues such as minimum wage, paid leave and taxes in Maine. April/May 2008 edition.Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36622.htmlTell your legislators to oppose a higher minimum wage and automatic increases. Urge them to vote NO on LD 1697.Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36595.htmlCiting 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.Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36545.htmlThe Legislature is now one month away from its April 16 target adjournment deadline. Wrangling over how to balance the budget may lead to a longer session, however. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36470.htmlFunding of the controversial Dirigo Health program would change from a tax on health insurance premiums to a tax on healthcare expenses (paid claims) under a plan endorsed by the Baldacci administration.Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36409.htmlLower income taxes, expanded sales taxes, higher meals and lodging taxes, and future spending restraint are ideas being floated by some lawmakers as part of a 2008 tax reform package. The one-page outline, presented recently by Rep. John Piotti (Unity), House chair of the Taxation Committee, is available here on NFIB.com.Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36312.htmlLD 2174 (governor's bill) sets new high school graduation standards as well as other requirements for elementary and middle school instruction. The high school course standards "must include instruction of all students in English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, health education, physical education, career and education development, visual and performing arts and world languages."Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36247.htmlSmall-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.Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36162.html"Legislators who are working to keep the state budget balanced have more than doubled the target for needed savings," reports the Associated Press in a Feb. 7 newspaper article. Legislative committees were asked to recommend ways to save an additional $99 million on top of the $95 million hole already identified by Gov. John E. Baldacci. The governor's commissioner of finance reportedly told agencies that "revenue raisers such as increased fees and fines may be offered."Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36052.htmlGov. John E. Baldacci has nominated a health policy researcher from Washington, D.C., to become head of Maine's insurance bureau. Mila Kofman, who also is an associate professor at Georgetown University, would, if confirmed, fill a vacancy that's been open for more than a year. The nomination has stirred up concern in the business and insurance sectors due to Kofman's lack of state-level experience with insurance law and regulation and her credentials as a witness on behalf of consumer activist groups such as Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care and speaker at conferences held by health insurance anti-market reform groups such as FamiliesUSA.Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35939.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small-business issues such as health care and labor in Maine. February/March 2008 edition.Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35894.htmlRegister today for the 2008 NFIB National Small-Business Summit! NFIB and eBay have joined forces to create an event you won't want to miss. At the Summit, you'll interact with policymakers, business leaders and fellow entrepreneurs while sharing your experiences and finding new ideas to boost your business. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35926.htmlThe $150 billion federal stimulus legislation is expected to include provisions that encourage small business investment. However, based on current budget problems and past actions in Maine, the state is likely to tax the increased investment incentives. The federal package may include 50 percent bonus depreciation on new equipment. Bonus depreciation incentives in the recent past were not recognized in Maine; instead, businesses were required to add back and pay tax on the federal bonus allowance. Similarly, the federal package may increase the immediate write-off level to $250,000 from $100,000 for small business investment; however, Maine only allows a $25,000 expensing write-off and requires businesses to add back and pay tax on the difference between that and the federal expensing limit.Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35891.htmlTax reformers at the State House are taking another run at lowering income taxes, adopting property-tax breaks and broadening the sales tax to various services reports the <I>Portland Press Herald</i> in a Jan. 17 article. The effort is being led by House Speaker Glen Cummings (Portland) and Taxation Committee co-chair Rep. John Piotti (Unity). They are joined by Sen. Karl Turner (Cumberland) who is particularly interested in lowering taxes on income and increasing restraints on state government spending. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35813.htmlGov. John Baldacci last Wednesday evening issued his "State of the State" address. Drawing upon quotes from Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, the governor talked about his vision for Maine and his plans for 2008 and beyond. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35780.htmlWith so many small businesses in Maine struggling to cope with rising energy and health care costs, the governor's address was an opportunity to reassure those 35,000 small-business owners and their employees that help was on the way. The address was a mixed bag. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35763.htmlThe 123rd Maine Legislature convened Jan. 2 for its 2008 session. This so-called "short session" is due to end April 16. Five newly-elected representatives (3 Democrats, 2 Republicans) were sworn in.Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35713.htmlThe new year has just begun, but the 2008 elections have been on the minds of voters for a while now. Over the next several months you'll continue to hear predictions and statistics relating to the presidential and congressional races, and NFIB is here to keep you informed and help you make sense of it all. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35582.htmlYou've probably seen the photos, distributed worldwide since 2005 via e-mail and online. Bright evergreen wreaths with red ribbons, dusted with snow, each carefully placed against the simple white markers on rows of graves at Arlington National Cemetery. Likely you weren't aware that the wreaths have been donated for the past 15 years by NFIB member Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, nor that his generosity has sparked a movement that places many more thousands on veterans' graves across the country. Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35398.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small-business issues such as minimum wage, health insurance and paid sick leave in Maine. December/January 2008 edition.Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35302.htmlSmall business owners value their employees and understand that we all have family obligations. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35127.htmlDespite ill-informed rhetoric that often cites the federal death tax as only affecting wealthy people, this tax affects all Americans, and it strikes no one harder than the small-business community.Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST