Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development

INJURED WORKERS LOSE PROTECTIONS UNDER GOP LEADERSHIP

Apr 13, 2012

AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate GOP voted late in the evening in favor of a measure, LD 1913, that takes away critical benefits to Maine’s most injured workers. The bill as passed caps benefits for almost all injured workers at 10 years, even if their injury still prevents them from returning to work. It also makes it harder for...

GOP LAWMAKERS SUPPORT MEASURE THAT “UNRAVELS” BENEFITS TO UNEMPLOYED WORKERS

Apr 11, 2012

AUGUSTA—In a party-line vote, the Maine Senate voted 18 – 16 on a measure, LD 1725, that some Democrats call an “ill conceived” bill that reduces benefits to unemployed Maine workers. The bill delays unemployment benefits until after the laid off employee has used up their vacation time and reduces the time frame...

SENATE REPUBLICANS OPT FOR SPEED OVER SAFETY WITH ELECTRICIAN TRAINING

Apr 6, 2012

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Senate voted largely along party lines on a measure that decreases supervision of electricians-in-training and undercuts master electricians. “This a dangerous bill that puts workers in jeopardy and increases the likelihood of mistakes,” said Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash, who also serves on the Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development...

MAINE SENATE REPUBLICANS GIVE INITIAL SUPPORT TO TAKE AWAY RIGHTS FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS

Apr 6, 2012

Augusta—Maine Senate Republicans supported a measure that takes away the rights of Maine childcare workers in a vote of 19 – 16. “Yet again, the Republican-majority is more interested in taking away the rights of Maine workers than getting Maine people back to work and rebuilding our economy,” said Senator Troy Jackson of...

Lawmakers delay action on union fees bill

Apr 5, 2012

AUGUSTA, Maine — The dozens of union representatives who gathered before the Legislature’s Labor Committee to hear debate Wednesday on a controversial labor bill left feeling confused. Without debate, Sen. Chris Rector, R-Thomaston, the co-chair of the committee, tabled LD 309, a bill that would eliminate the state’s requirement to collect union fees from nonunion...

Senate Democrats Fight for Rights for Maine Workers

Mar 23, 2012

Republican lawmakers call debate on workers rights at DeCoster egg farm “bizarre” AUGUSTA – For more than an hour today, Senate Democrats fought against a Republican measure eliminating collective bargaining rights for workers at the former DeCoster egg farm. Republicans passed the measure in a partisan vote of 19 – 16 with independent Senator Richard...

Democratic Leader: Public Input Welcome for the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board

Feb 16, 2012

Last session, the Maine Legislature supported regulatory reform legislation (LD 1) to improve the business climate in the state and encourage job creation and opportunities for Maine people by identifying and eliminating duplicate and unnecessary regulations that hinder our business climate. One aspect of the new law was the creation of the Maine Regulatory Fairness...

Senator Gerzofsky: Reflection on Kestrel

Feb 12, 2012

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky once said, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I offer this quote as a simple analogy to the State of Maine’s recent dealings with Kestrel Aircraft. Better put, no one should blame the state for what was eventually Kestrel’s own decision. Maine did not blow a chance...

Senate Democratic Leader Promotes Measures to Strengthen Maine’s Economy

Jan 21, 2012

Two bills focus on economic development and job creation AUGUSTA – As part of a larger plan by the Senate Democrats to bolster Maine’s economy, Senator Barry Hobbins (D – York County) introduced two key pieces of legislation before the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee on Thursday. Both bills focus on economic...

Fines dropped against two logging firms, prompting appeal

Jan 20, 2012

By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Posted Jan. 19, 2012, at 8:11 p.m. AUGUSTA, Maine — Two Aroostook County lawmakers are appealing a decision by Maine’s labor commissioner to rescind hefty fines levied against two companies that ran afoul of state laws regarding Canadian loggers working in the Maine woods. The appeal — filed Thursday with...

KJ | Three more LePage vetoes withstand override

Jan 10, 2012

By Susan M. Cover, MaineToday Media AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate today sustained all three of Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes despite arguments by Democrats to override the chief executive. Last week, LePage vetoed bills that gave a small tax break to loggers, a sales tax exemption to nonprofit performing arts centers, and a bill...

BDN | LePage vetoes three Democratic bills

Jan 5, 2012

Source: Eric Russell, BDN Staff, Jan. 05, 2012 AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday used his authority to veto a trio of Democratic-sponsored bills that passed during the Legislature’s first session last year. The bills were: • LD 1264, an energy efficiency bill sponsored by Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham. • LD 338, sponsored by...