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Impact15 28December10-WEB.Pdf Impact15_28December10_Impact_Template.qxd 12/11/2015 10:30 AM Page 1 December 10, 2015 Maine State Chamber board announces Citizens’ initiative 2016 board of directors for ranked-choice Senate President and House Speaker recognized for leadership voting found valid with 64,687 signatures The citizens’ initiative petition effort to consider ranked-choice voting has been found valid, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. The petitions for “An Act To Establish Ranked-choice Voting” had been in circu - lation since October 28, 2014. On October 19, 2015, the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 10,036 petition forms with 75,369 signa - tures of voters who support the initiative. Staff members at the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions have completed the process of certifying all of the petitions and have found 64,687 valid signatures, while 10,682 were not valid. A President of the Maine Senate, Sen. Michael Thibodeau (above, right), and Speaker of the Maine House of minimum of 61,123 signatures from regis - Representatives, Rep. Mark Eves (above, left), were recognized recently by the Maine State Chamber for tered Maine voters is required in the citi - their leadership during first regular session of the 127th Legislature and their willingness to work together for zens’ initiative process, thus the petition has the people of Maine despite the hurdles that arose. Also pictured above are the chamber's board chair been deemed valid by Secretary Dunlap. Melinda Poore of Time Warner Cable, New England Division, and chamber President Dana Connors. The initiative to establish ranked-choice voting will now go to the Legislature for con - On Monday, November 30, 2015, Chemical; Peter Connell of Courtcon, sideration, per the provisions of the Maine the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Inc.; Jon Fitzgerald of General Dynamics Constitution. The Legislature can choose to hosted its annual Board Orientation and Bath Iron Works Corp.; Theresa Fowler of enact the bill as written or to send it forward Appreciation Dinner. The 2016 slate of the Central Aroostook Chamber of to a statewide vote in November 2016. directors were confirmed during the Commerce; Clifton Greim of Harriman The bill would provide ranked-choice event. The Chamber welcomes four new Associates; Chris Joyce of Texas voting for the offices of U.S. senator, U.S. Board members, as well as those filling Instruments; Edward Kane of Harvard representative to Congress, governor, state unexpired terms, and confirmed the reap - Pilgrim Health Care; Judy Knapp of senator and state representative for elections pointment of directors. Hannaford Supermarkets; Stephen held on or after Jan. 1, 2018. In ranked The 22 reappointed directors include Krolikowski of KeyBank Maine; Richard choice voting, voters rank candidates in David Barber of AdvancePierre/Barber Malinowski of Procter & Gamble- order of preference and the results are tabu - Foods; Joe Bruno of Community Tambrands; Dave McKenney of McCain lated in rounds, in which last-place candi - Pharmacies, LP; Dave Colter of GAC dates are defeated and the candidate with the Continued on Page 3... most votes in the final round is elected. Impact15_28December10_Impact_Template.qxd 12/11/2015 10:30 AM Page 2 Inside Impact... A message from the president... 2016 Board of Directors . p. 1 Chamber BlueOptions . p. 15 Chamber Professional . p. 3 “Finding progress and Cyber-Security Forum . p. 5 E2Tech News . p. 18 potential in the holiday Health Care Forum . p. 8 hustle and bustle…” HR Library . p. 15 InternHelpME.com . p. 11 Jobs for Maine’s Graduates . p. 13 JustGoodNews.biz . p. 19 Despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I often find myself reflect - Purple Strategies . p. 7 ing on the progress of past year and anticipating the potential of the coming year. Ranked-Choice Voting . p. 1 As I reflected on the past year, the words of our board chair, Melinda Poore, Spurwink Humanitarian Award . p. 13 resounded in my head. I’d like to share with you her comments at our recent Board The Bottom Line . p. 18 Orientation / Appreciation Dinner. “Just about a year ago, the 127th Maine Legislature took their oath of UMaine Career Fair . p. 11 office. As legislators gathered at the Statehouse to begin their work in late 2014, Workplace Wellness . p. 14 the mood was collaborative and hopeful. The legislature appeared poised and ready to tackle a number of issues to encourage Maine’s economic prosperity. There were a lot of promising discussions in the early weeks of the session, and for the first time in recent history it appeared that progress on many critical and Vol. 49, No. 28 Impact complex issues might actually be possible – from education initiatives to work - (207) 623-4568 force development, mining opportunities and aggressive tax reform proposals. Impact (ISSN 1055-3029) is published weekly It wasn’t long before policy was often displaced by politics and personalities January through June and monthly July through during the session. The initial spirit of promise and opportunity did not hold, and as December by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, 125 Community Dr., Suite 101, the session moved on the wheels on the bus seemed to start falling off – however Augusta, Maine 04330-8010. Periodicals postage not all was lost but clearly there was less gain than initially perceived or hoped. paid at Augusta, Maine, and additional mailing Each year public policy topics grow in intensity and play an increasingly impor - offices. Maine State Chamber member companies tant role in Maine’s prosperity. Whether we supported or opposed a piece of legis - are assessed $75.00 yearly for each newsletter sub - lation — and in some cases, encouraged vetoes to stop bad policy decisions — the scription (subscribers or out-of-dues assessement). POSTMASTER: Please send any address Maine State Chamber’s constant goal is to promote good public policy that ultimate - changes to Impact , 125 Community Dr., Suite 101, ly improves Maine’s overall business climate, helping employers and employees. Augusta, Maine 04330-8010. Maine is a place of relationships and it’s no different at the Statehouse. We Chairman of the Board of Directors: are thankful for legislators and administrators who are willing to discuss the Melinda Poore tough issues in search of equitable solutions - for partnerships with other asso - President: Dana F. Connors ciations as we build collaboration — and for members who are willing to lend Information in this newsletter is intended to provide their voices to our grassroots efforts. guidance, not legal advice. Since exact language and As we anticipate the 127th Legislature’s second session, there will be many definitions of key terms are critical to understanding the critical issues impacting all aspects of the business community. The second ses - requirements of legislation, rules or laws, we encourage you to read each carefully. Articles and information sion is traditionally recognized as the short session where carry over bills and contained in this newsletter may be reprinted with attri - emergency legislation are finished up from the previous year. The number of bution given to: Maine State Chamber of Commerce. bills that will be considered are far less but yet extremely important to the busi - Please address comments to Melanie Baillargeon, ness community and our overall economy. director of communications. Information about the Some of the key issues for 2016 include a plan for long-term broadband poli - Maine State Chamber of Commerce may also be viewed on the Internet at: www.mainechamber.org. Our cy; a debate about minimum wage increases; the need to address our workforce email address is [email protected]. challenges, specifically preparedness and the size of our labor force; and, many questions about how to determine which business assistance programs will be tapped About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Since 1889, the Maine State Chamber to fill the $6 million hole in the budget for the upcoming clean election campaigns, has been fighting to lower your cost of doing business. a decision that will directly impact business tax expenditure programs. Then we fast- Through our Grassroots Action Network and OneVoice forward to the busy 2016 election cycle, the potential exists for seven referendum program, we work with a network of approximately 5,000 initiatives on the ballot which may include: ranked choice voting, legalization of companies statewide who see the value in such a service and provide the financial support that keeps our access, marijuana, minimum wage, welfare reform, the ‘Stand up for Children’ initiative, advocacy, and assistance efforts going strong. As income tax elimination, and universal background checks for gun purchases.” Maine's Chamber, we make sure that the business envi - ronment of the state continues to thrive. The Maine State As you can see, this 2016 short session carries serious concerns for Maine’s Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of their inter - economy. I can assure you that our team will be there, as always, to ensure that the ests before the legislature and regulatory agencies and interest of Maine’s employers is well-represented at the Statehouse and beyond. through conferences, seminars, and affiliated programs. 2 III Impact III 12/10/2015 For the most current information, visit www.mainechamber.org Impact15_28December10_Impact_Template.qxd 12/11/2015 10:30 AM Page 3 Maine State Chamber presents Board of Directors... (Continued from Page 1...) 2015 Chamber Professional of the Year Foods USA, Inc.; Doug McKeown of Skowhegan Area Chamber leader receives Woodard & Curran Inc.; Bob recognition for his contribution to region, state Montgomery-Rice of Bangor Savings Bank; Daniel Riley, Jr. of Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, LLC; Connie Russell of the Samoset Resort; Mark St.Germain of St.Germain Collins; Kim Vandermeulen of Alternative Manufacturing, Inc.; Tom Violette of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems; William Williamson of Bank of America Merrill Lynch; and, Lawrence Wold of TD Bank.
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