Orientation meetings and briefings to legislative committees
are winding down and momentum is swinging toward public hearings on printed
legislation. The highlight of this week
will be Governor LePage’s “State of the Budget” address Tuesday evening.
SESSION
Senate & House Sessions – 10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday
(also 7 p.m. on Tuesday)
LEGISLATION
As of today 248 bills have been printed.
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_127th/billtexts/
Ideas for new laws include:
·
An Act To Require the Use of Preapproved
Subcontractors for Publicly Funded Construction Projects (LD 244)
·
An Act To Provide Flexibility in the State
Prevailing Wage and Benefit Rates (LD 248)
STATE OF THE BUDGET ADDRESS
Governor LePage will speak Tuesday evening (7 p.m.) to a
joint Senate and House session and present his views on fiscal matters facing
the State of Maine including the 2016-2017 proposed State Budget he submitted
in early January, plan to reduce income
taxes and shift more to consumption taxes, as well as state general obligation
bonds, municipal revenue sharing and finances, and other matters he wants to
highlight. The address will be broadcast
live by one or more television and radio stations as well as be accessible on
the legislative website. His prepared
remarks will be posted online sometime after the speech.
MPBN
http://news.mpbn.net/post/watch-live-lepage-delivers-state-state-address
Legislature – Audio
http://legislature.maine.gov/house/h_audio.htm
Legislature – Video
http://legislature.maine.gov/house/h_video_int.htm
Governor’s News Room (printed
speech)
www.maine.gov/governor/lepage/news/speeches/index.shtml
NFIB “SMALL BUSINESS CLIMATE” BRIEFING
“Cautious optimism” is what NFIB Maine told members of the
Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Economic Development (LCRED) last
Thursday (1/29) afternoon, adding that the degree of optimism varies by
business activity and geographic location.
Lawmakers were also told about continued uncertainty regarding workforce
preparedness, the effects of an aging population on the supply of workers and
potential buyers for business owners who want to retire, as well as Maine’s
need for in-migration of younger people and young families. Another point made to lawmakers is the
increased competition faced by small business as customers use the Internet to
shop more widely for products and services – and businesses use the Internet to
find customers.
LOOKING AHEAD
Later this month NFIB Maine will hold its annual legislative
breakfast in Augusta. Details and online
registration can be found here:
www.nfib.com/event/maine-2015-legislative-day-in-augusta/
KEY WEBSITES
Governor – www.maine.gov/governor
Legislature – http://legislature.maine.gov
