This week, we received some great news about the Greater Portland job market, I delivered the Democratic Weekly Radio Address, and delivered testimony on some of my bills.

Forbes Ranking
Here’s another great stat that’s encouraging about Portland! Forbes Magazine, has rated the Portland region as the best place in the country to look for a job this spring. This is fantastic news for Maine and for the region.
You can read the Forbes article here, and read some of the local stories from the  Bangor Daily News and  Portland Press Herald.

Weekly Radio Address

Last Saturday, I delivered the Democrats’ Weekly Radio Address. In it, I discuss the Democratic plan to pay off the hospital debt and reform health care to ensure we don’t end up in this situation again. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

 

Click here to listen.

Two-Year Budget

Hearings have begun on the Governor’s proposed 2014-2015 two-year budget, and there has been an incredible involvement by people all across the state. On Monday, March 18th, the Appropriations Committee and the Education Committee held hearings on the education proposals in the budget. Students, teachers, and municipal officials testified against the proposed cuts to education for more than five hours. It was encouraging to see and hear members of affected communities mobilize to make their voices heard.
I strongly oppose these cuts or flat funding to our education system, and I encourage you to share your thoughts with the Appropriations Committee.

 

Click here to read more from WCSH.

Bills Update

On Monday, March 18th, I introduced an amendment to my bill LD 90, “An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future.” The amendment encompasses all the work the committee has done on workforce development. The committee has done incredible work, and I was proud to offer the amendment on behalf of the committee.
My amendment will cover a number or proposals, including a seamless credit transfer system between the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System, reducing the waiting lists at community colleges for high-demand programs, and creating a “training pipeline” for high demand, high wage jobs. The amendment includes specific proposals ranging from better coordination of existing job training programs to creating new programs that will support workers at varying stages of career development.
Click here to read more from the Portland Press Herald.

 

Also on March 18th, I introduced one of my bills, LD 435 “Resolve, To Require the State Tax Assessor To Develop Agreements with Online Retailers for the Collection of Sales and Use Tax,” which would direct the State Tax Assessor to begin negotiations with large online retailers, such as Amazon, to find a workable agreement to collect sales tax on online purchases. The Assessor would then be required to submit quarterly reports on collection and total revenue.

 

Under current law, Maine residents are obligated to track all purchases online and pay the use tax (5%). However, the state lacks the proper enforcement, and most believe that our compliance is near zero. With more than $560 million in online sales in Maine in 2011, that means we’re leaving around $30 million in revenue on the table every year.

 

At the same time, many small businesses in Maine are at a distinct disadvantage to compete with online retailers in this unlevel playing field.

 

This is a problem all states are facing, and while a national solution is gaining steam in Congress, we can not wait while Maine businesses continue to operate at a distinct disadvantage.