Maine Small Business Coalition Opposes Insurance Company Influence in Local Election

Insurance premiums for small businesses have jumped in the Bangor area following the passage of a state insurance deregulation bill last year. As the election approaches, local business owners and the Maine Small Business Coalition are concerned about these premium increases and angry that Anthem Insurance has spent so much money in the Bangor and Hermon Senate Race in what seems to be an attempt to protect their rate hikes.

Click here to view a digital copy of our Fall 2012 MSBC Newsletter. Our fall edition contains a review of the 125th legislative session and includes a legislative scorecard breaking down some of the important votes legislators took last session that impact small businesses.

Business Owners in Auburn, Poland, New Gloucester and Durham Have Seen Premiums Increase

When the health insurance premiums for Leighton Imaging in Durham increased by 20% this year it was a difficult cost for owner Geoff Leighton to bear.

Mayor, Business Owners Share Personal Health Care Experiences

"Over the past year, 93% of small business owners in central Maine have seen their health care premiums go up. Some in the Waterville area have seen their rates hiked by more than 80%," said Waterville mayor and small business owner Karen Heck, speaking today at a press conference held by the Maine Small Business Coalition.

Maine Small Business Coalition member Melanie Collins traveled to Washington, D.C. today to participate in a rally calling on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to disclose its funding sources and stop its opposition to financial disclosure reform. Marking the U.S. Chamber's 100th birthday, Collins joined with grassroots organizations representing members across the country to deliver a message to the U.S Chamber that acting as a funnel for secret corporate money makes it more difficult for small business owners to participate in the political process.