Foreign loggers bill advances
A bill that would bar timberland owners who hire foreign loggers from receiving a state tax incentive moved forward yesterday.
House legislators voted 83-58 to pass LD 1552, which would prohibit timberland owners who hire Canadian loggers from getting tax breaks under the state's Tree Growth Tax Law, according to the Bangor Daily News. Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, introduced the bill after northern Maine loggers complained they were being passed over for jobs in favor of Canadian workers. Last November, two Maine logging companies were barred from hiring foreign workers for two years, after being charged with violating state and federal labor laws and failing to adequately recruit domestic workers.
Supporters of the measure say it will allow Maine-based companies and workers to stay competitive, but opponents say it could affect wood supplies to Maine mills and hurt the already struggling forest products industry. The bill will be sent to the Senate.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
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