From MSBC director Will Ikard:

"Once again, with this budget, the President has shown a desire to destroy the American programs that ensure a functioning society. Massive cuts to food assistance, health care, and student aid will make our communities less stable and do nothing to help our small businesses. Only when every American has their basic needs met - food, shelter, health, education - can they live up to their full potential as workers, consumers, or entrepreneurs. This budget takes us further in the wrong direction.

Last week, Fox Business reported that six Wall Street banks - Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo - spent a combined $4 million on lobbying during the run-up to passage of President Trump's tax break bill. Maine Republican Representative Bruce Poliquin and Senator Susan Collins voted for the law. Independent Senator Angus King and Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree voted against it.

Low-income workers, young people, labor advocates, small business owners and others argued before a packed legislative hearing on Wednesday that the bill backed by Governor Paul LePage to reduce Maine’s minimum wage is not only counter to the wishes of Maine voters but would severely impact their lives. Fair pay advocates also cited employment and wage statistics over the past year as proof that the first minimum wage increase in eight years in Maine has benefited the state’s economy.

On Thursday, small business owners met at Fork and Spoon in Bangor to condemn Second District Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s vote earlier this month in support of the federal budget advanced by President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress.

This article originally appeared on Maine Beacon.

More than 150 Maine small businesses have now publicly endorsed a “Yes” vote on Question 2, the ballot measure to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid. Members of the Maine Small Business Coalition gathered at the Hyatt Place Portland hotel yesterday to announce their support for the referendum, which they say would create an economic boost for the state.