Policy Minute: Budget countdown in Augusta
Welcome to our Policy Minute, a quick recap of recent policy and political action at the State House and in the Portland region from a business perspective. For more information you can read my weekly Policy Update.
Just in case the sudden onset of summer has you distracted, here's what's been happening at the State House that's worth keeping track of:
State budget in final stages: The plan is to get a unanimous bipartisan two-year state budget bill done in time to go to the full Legislature this coming Thursday — but major tax and spending issues remain unresolved.
Repaying hospitals: Remains a consensus priority for lawmakers and many of us in the business community. But so far it hasn't happened yet because …
Medicaid linkage: Democrats continue to link hospital repayment to expansion of Medicaid in Maine. The feds said last week Maine won't get a special deal on costs, but a new bill to expand Medicaid will be in front of lawmakers this week.
Gang of 11 in limbo: The sweeping tax reform plan is stuck in the Taxation Committee, where it may well end the session. The committee isn't ready to vote on the bill, but it did send a letter to the appropriations committee outlining the bill's pro's and con's.
Energy omnibus: Another late session bipartisan effort has many moving parts drawn from dozens of bills. Among other things, the omnibus bill tries to encourage natural gas pipeline investments in order to lower energy costs in Maine. It does not deal with wind policies, something the governor still wants.
Workers' comp increase: LD 443 has the potential to raise workers' comp rates by as much as $60 million a year. It's no surprise that many of us in the business community are fighting to defeat the bill.
In our region: At Maine International Trade Day the President of Iceland said that Portland's port is a major asset in trans-Arctic shipping. The Portland City Council's Housing and Community Development Committee voted 3-1 to move the Congress Square Plaza redevelopment project forward — a big win for those of us who see the opportunity to transform the entire area.
Up Next: Leadership check at the State House. This week ought to tell us a lot about the potential for a last-minute state budget deal, or not. If not, it could be a long hot summer.
Chris Hall is the CEO if the Portland Regional Chamber. Policy Minute is part of the Chamber's effort to keep Mainebiz readers up to date on important business-related issues that impact our workplace, our community and our future.
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