Mills has signed 606 bills into law. What’s next?
File Photo / Tim Greenway
Think Tank Coworking owner Patrick Roche says coworking spaces “are a key component of any place-making initiative.”
In her first six months in office, Gov. Janet Mills signed 606 bills from the 129th Maine Legislature into law. With that many, it’s hard to nail down all the implications, but there are several that may have flown under the radar that address Maine’s workforce issues. A few are:
Working on coworking
The Coworking Development Fund, which was created in 2015, will get $300,000 to provide grants for coworking businesses start or expand.
In its first year, it provided $100,000 in grants to businesses in Brunswick, Portland, Biddeford, Augusta, Millinocket and Bethel, but was zeroed out by Gov. Paul LePage in the next budget.
The 2019 version calls for a competitive application process rather than requests for proposals, has more stringent application requirements and gives more weight to those starting a business rather than expanding.
Bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, said earlier this year the move will draw young workers to Maine and help revitalization efforts. Coworking spaces “are sought after by young professionals and are increasingly the cornerstones for communities revitalizing vacant spaces in downtowns,” he said.
One of the biggest barriers to establishing such spaces, he said, is the build-out.
Think Tank Coworking owner Patrick Roche told Mainebiz after Mills signed the bill that co-working spaces “are a key component of any place-making initiative.”
Roche, who has locations in Portland, Biddeford and Yarmouth, and whose business benefited from the initial fund, said he’s thrilled Mills supported the move.
“Coworking spaces serve as catalysts for small business growth, foster community development and help revitalize our urban centers,” he said. “If we are going to stay competitive as a state, our communities need to develop these spaces.”
Nixing the noncompete to compete
A law aimed at keeping workers in Maine prohibits an employer from requiring or entering into a noncompete agreement with a worker who earns 300% or less of the federal poverty level. That’s $36,180 for a one-person household (the federal poverty level is $12,060). It also sets stricter rules for all noncompete agreements and prohibits two or more employers from agreements that restrict one of them from soliciting or hiring the other’s employees or former employees.
License to work
Electricians, speech-language pathology assistants and real estate appraisers have amended licensing requirements, thanks to a law aimed at making it easier to fill jobs. The law allows a master or journeyman electrician to supervise two helpers at a time rather than one. It also changes hours of work experience required for journeymen-in-training applying for master electrician licenses. Real estate appraisers get a break with less stringent license requirements, and those with an associate degree may now apply to become speech-language pathology assistants.
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