Health Insurance Affordability
Please tell us about the costs of health care coverage for your business.
Our Mission
As small business owners, we advocate for policies that promote responsible economic development, environmental stewardship, and investment in community. We are the backbone of Maine’s economy, and we help provide a political voice for Maine’s small business community. We believe that good economic policy works both for small business owners and the customers they serve.
Small Business Statement: Support Legislation to Stop Tax Haven Abuse
We, the undersigned business owners, executives and investors, call on the President and Congress to end tax dodging and support a level playing field for business by enacting strong legislation to stop tax haven abuses. Offshore tax havens reward tax evaders, rob public coffers of needed revenue and offload taxes to responsible businesses and households.
Small Business Advocacy Pays Off
Lately I've been calling upon MSBC members like you a lot -- to testify in Augusta, to call members of the Legislature and Congress, and to sign letters of support. I appreciate how so many of you have pitched in so readily and so often.
Though we by no means win every battle, yesterday, our advocacy for small business paid off in a very real way.
Senators Snowe & Collins voted with the majority in the Senate to cap debit swipe fees at reasonable and proportional rates, putting an end to overly burdensome fees on transactions that line the pockets of Wall Street bankers to the tune of $16 billion every year.
This reform came in large part due to your advocacy. Starting next month, debit swipe fees will be dramatically reduced. If your business relies on frequent debit transactions, then this is advocacy that literally pays off.
Thanks again,
Nate Libby
Director, Maine Small Business Coalition
Small Business Owners Stand with Workers
Maine Small Business Statement in Support of Workers and Bargaining Rights:
People with Good-Paying Jobs are the Bedrock of Our Customer Base
May 30, 2011
Honorable Members of the Labor, Research, Commerce and Economic Development Committee:
As small business owners, we know our businesses are the foundation of our local economies. We also know the foundation of our success is a healthy customer base. People with good-paying jobs, including public employees and workers in the private sector, are the bedrock of that customer base.
Support Swipe Fee Reform
For business owners, one of the most significant changes to come out Federal financial reform were new regulations on fees banks and credit card companies can charge on debit card transactions.
Swipe fee reform for small businesses was passed last year and is set to go into effect this summer, but Wall Street's army of lobbyists is swarming Capitol Hill trying to delay this common sense legislation for another 2 years. Make no mistake, delaying these reforms is allowing it to die quietly.