TIP CREDIT, LD 673: The Maine State Chamber, working with the Maine Restaurant Associationand other stakeholders, helped to reinstate the “tip credit,” eliminated in the referendum to in-crease the minimum wage this past November. Maine becomes one of only two states to ever takesuch action, and by doing so helped to save our vital tourism industry millions in higher oper-ating costs, and put more money into the pockets of the servers who work in this industry.

MANDATORY PAID SICK LEAVE, LD 1159: The Maine State Chamber helped to defeat legis-lation that would have required Maine employers with more than 50 employees provide up to 40hours per year of paid sick leave, and those with under 50 employees to provide the same amountof unpaid sick time. Requiring this would have resulted in a higher cost of doing business heretotaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, forcing businesses to cut hours worked,other types of leave they may currently provide, or even the number of workers they employ.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE LEGISLATION

POST-SECONDARY DEGREE ATTAINMENT, LD 1638: The Maine State Chamber, along withmembers of the Workforce and Education Coalition, worked with the legislature to establish astate-wide post-secondary degree attainment goal of 60% by 2025 to help ensure that we havea qualified workforce for our economy in future years.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TASKFORCE: Through a legislativejoint order, this taskforce was formed to assess at workforce development issues by industry sec-tor. The Maine State Chamber participates in this taskforce, which consists of legislators, admin-istration officials, and others.

3% INCOME TAX SURCHARGE CONTAINED IN LD 390, THE BUDGET BILL: The numberone priority for Maine’s business community heading into this legislative session was a completerepeal of the three-percent income tax surcharge on all income above $200,000, which impactedmore than 16,000 tax filers—of which more than 12,000 were Maine-based businesses. As thelead organization for the Keep Maine Competitive Coalition—a group of more than 30 statewidebusiness associations—the Maine State Chamber worked to fully repeal the three-percent surcharge,saving more than $300 million in the biennial budget and helping ensure Maine’s future econ-omy will grow.

BETR: The Maine State Chamber worked diligently to make sure the Legislature fully fundedthe Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement (BETR) program at 100%. BETR is worth $26.8million in FY18 and $23.42 million in FY19 to the business community.

TAX HAVENS: Once again, the Maine State Chamber helped to defeat tax haven legislation thatwould label certain countries as tax havens and would have required companies that operate both herein Maine and in those countries to pay additional taxes on operations already subject to income tax inthose countries. Estimated avoided costs to Maine businesses totals approximately $10.26 million.

UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE, LD 1618: The Maine State Chamber worked to defeat this bill, whichwould have provided universal child care — funded by increasing Maine’s top income tax rateto 16.3 percent (estimated calculation).

TAXATION LEGISLATION

“As one of Maine’s largest employers, we operate in a verycompetitive market where added costs can significantly impactour ability to succeed. As a result, BIW operates its business-constructing complex U.S. Navy surface ships- by seeking tocontinually improve upon its manufacturing performance andby driving costs out of the business whether it is the cost ofmaterials, energy or health care. Here in Maine, we are strongsupporters of the Maine State Chamber and work as partnersin growing our business as well as improving upon Maine’sbusiness climate. Their advocacy on our behalf as well as onbehalf of the broader business community helps BIW remainfocused on achieving its goals in Bath as the Maine Chamberensures our interests are being covered in Augusta.”

Jon A. Fitzgerald, Esq., vice president and general counsel at General Dynamics–Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine

THE VOICE OF MAINE BUSINESSDuring the first session of the 128th Legislature,the Maine State Chambertracked approximately 200 legislative proposalsof importance to Maine businesses.

ABOUT USThe Maine State Chamber achieves victories for employersthrough targeted advocacy andgrassroots efforts. No other organization represents the business community before theMaine Legislature, the Governorand various regulatory entitiesbetter than the Maine Chamber.With a team of four experiencedStatehouse insiders, the Chamber covers the most important issues to the businesscommunity, including healthcare, labor, education, energy,environment, taxation, work-force development, regulations,and more. Check outwww.mainechamber.org.

NATIONAL RECOGNITIONThe Maine Prosperity Project,a program managed by theMaine State Chamber of Commerce, received the national Prosperity Project StarAchievement Award for itsgrassroots communications withthe Maine business community.

JOIN TODAY! To join the Maine State Chamber, please contact JoyceLaRoche by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 113, or by emailingjlaroche@mainechamber.org.To participate in our Grass-roots Action Network, pleasecontact Linda Caprara by call-ing ext. 106 or by emailinglcaprara@mainechamber.org.

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125 Community Drive, Suite 101Augusta, Maine 04330

w 207.623.4568 wwww.mainechamber.org

Estimated Return on Your 2017 Membership Investment: $300+ MILLION

Get a great return on your investment with a Maine State Chamber membershipTAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR YOU LATELY

*The following is just a sample of some of our most important legislative victories during both sessions of the 128th Legislature:

WORKPLACE LEGISLATION

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Business Day at the Legislature: Annually, this event hosts 250+ employers, as well as Mainelegislators and administrators, with the ultimate goal of increasing collaboration to ultimatelystrengthen the state’s economy and keep Maine competitive. This casual setting provides a uniqueopportunity to discuss business issues and priorities, and to share first-hand information about thedaily struggles businesses face. Business Day at the Statehouse emphasizes the importance of pre-serving and retaining existing jobs, strengthening Maine’s economy through the creation of newopportunities, and keeping businesses competitive in this very fragile economy.

Washington, D.C. Fly-In: With more and more issues that affect our state being decided in Wash-ington, the Maine State Chamber hosts an annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in each spring. Visits witheach of Maine’s delegates are scheduled, and attendees receive each one’s personal attention. Avariety of current public policy issues are discussed, including updates on health care, energy issues,transportation funding, and budgetary issues, to name a few.

Leadership Summit: These Leadership Summits provide opportunities for our board members andinvited guests to connect with commissioners, House and Senate leadership, committee chairs, andkey committee members. The Maine State Chamber takes pride in providing opportunities for Maine’sbusiness and government leaders to engage in honest, open dialogue about top public policy issues.

Legislative Social: Our annual Legislative Social is an ideal way for Maine business leaders to in-teract with legislators, business associates, new and prospective Maine State Chamber members,and government representatives in a relaxed setting.

Regional Business Breakfasts: Maine State Chamber’s annual Regional Business Breakfasts bring“the Chamber to your region,” enabling us to hear first-hand about the concerns of each region’slocal businesses, as well as providing an opportunity to present the latest public policy informationthat employers there need to know.

Public Policy Committees: Participating in our public policy committees is the best way to lendyour voice to the significant issues facing your business. Each policy committee is made up ofMaine State Chamber members who meet on a regular basis during the legislative session to discussissues in Environmental and Energy, Human Resources Policy, Taxation, and Workforce and Ed-ucation, and to help shape Chamber policy. Working with our Board of Directors and our advocacyteam, the Maine State Chamber’s public policy committees make sure that when the Maine StateChamber speaks, it reflects the concerns and priorities of our members.

Grassroots Action Network: There are times during the course of the legislative session that weask our members to contact their legislators and educate them on the ways a bill could impact theway companies operate in Maine. Our Grassroots Action Network has been instrumental in thepassage and defeat of many bills. With the active involvement of our members and local/regionalchamber members, we are increasing the volume of the voice of Maine business and affecting realpublic policy outcomes to help your business thrive and grow.

Where We Stand: Our Where We Stand report provides a strategic overview of the most importantissues facing the business community in the upcoming legislative session based on the results fromthe Maine State Chamber’s annual member survey of a wide variety of policy issues. Coincidingwith the beginning of the new legislative session, the document represents the collective work ofour policy committees, grassroots input from local businesses through local/regional chambers,and our board of directors. It is designed to help business people, policy makers, and concernedcitizens focus on the opportunities and the challenges ahead of us as we work to create greater prosperity for all of Maine’s citizens.

Published weekly during the legislative sessionand monthly during the off-session, IMPACToffers a high-quality, well-written discussionabout legislative and regulatory matters, Mainebusiness policy, and the legislative session’s proceedings for business leaders across the state.

Our Legislative Week Ahead, a snapshot of the biggest legislative issues of theweek, provides a weekly video forecast of the biggest issues facing lawmakersin Augusta during the upcoming week. Our Advocacy team breaks down theissues and what they mean to your business. New episodes are posted eachMonday to the Chamber’s webpage at www.mainechamber.org and to our MaineCorner Store site at www.mainecornerstore.org.

The Maine Chamber Minute (www.mainechamber.org/chamberminute) provides brief video updates on pending legislation and important events, pro-grams, or activities that help Maine’s business community stay current on issuesthat impact job creation and economic growth in the state.

FocusMaine (www.focusmaine.org) is dedicated tostrengthening and revitalizing opportunity and prosperity inMaine by accelerating the creation of quality jobs within afew sectors that have high growth potential.

The Maine Economic Research Institute’s (www.me-ri.org) missionis to improve Maine’s business environment by providing objectiveinformation to enhance economic policy making and through improved public policy.

ONE VOICE INITIATIVE

Leadership Summit

ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Estimated Return on Your 2017 Membership Investment: $300+ MILLION

Each Monday morning during the legislative session, our Advocacy teamconnects via conference callwith local and regionalchamber directors to discussthe latest developments atthe Legislature. As theireyes and ears at the Statehouse, we provideweekly updates on the issues important to Mainebusinesses. The weekly call-in also serves as an opportunity for us to hearwhat their members andcommunity are saying aboutspecific issues.

Also through our OneVoiceinitiative, complimentaryAssociate Member status(restrictions apply) is offeredto Maine companies employing fewer than 10 people that is a memberin good standing of any local or regional chamber in Maine.

D.C. Fly-In: Our visit with U.S. Senator Susan Collins

Business Day at the Statehouse

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Our newest initiative, Keep Maine Competitive, is a truly bi-partisan coalition ofbusiness and trade associations whose current project is to repeal the 3% tax sur-charge, to ensure Maine’s competitiveness.

Our statewide InternHelpME.com program links employers, students, colleges anduniversities, working to attract and retain talent for Maine’s future workforce.

The Maine State Chamber Purchasing Alliance, Inc. (http://www.mainecham-ber.org/blueoptions.php) offers small businesses with 2-50 employees, as well asself-employed people, who are members of a local or regional chamber of com-merce, a suite of ten health plans called Chamber BlueOptions.

Our Grassroots Action Network involves members and their employees in the leg-islative process through outreach campaigns and grassroots initiatives designed toincrease The Voice of Maine Business and impact real public policy outcomes.

PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

THE VOICE OF MAINE BUSINESS

As The Voice of MaineBusiness, the MaineState Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of our 5,000member companies before the Legislatureand the state’s regulatory agencies and through educationalor networking events to ensure that the state’sbusiness environmentcontinues to thrive bylowering the cost ofdoing business in Maine.

JOIN TODAY!

125 Community Drive, Suite 101Augusta, Maine 04330

w 207.623.4568 wwww.mainechamber.org

Even more return on your investment with a Maine State Chamber membership

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MEMBER PROGRAMS, STATEWIDE AND REGIONAL EVENTS, AND OUR OUTREACH

TO SERVE MAINE EMPLOYERS EVERYDAY*The following is just a sample of some of our current and on-going initiatives:

EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

2016 Annual Dinner: HonoringMaine’s five most recent U.S. Senators

2017 Annual Dinner: An Evening with The Capitol Steps

To join the Maine StateChamber, please contactJoyce LaRoche by calling(207) 623-4568, ext. 113, or by emailingjlaroche@mainechamber.org.

Annual Dinner: Held each October, our Annual Dinner is an evening of celebration, recognition,and tribute. In 2017, we delivered yet another top-notch event with entertainment provided by TheCapitol Steps, a nationally-acclaimed political satire troupe. This event is our opportunity to rec-ognize the investments of Maine companies through the presentation of our annual awards, as wellas a chance to commemorate the Maine State Chamber’s accomplishments throughout the past year.

Board Orientation & Appreciation Dinner: Preceded by an orientation and review for boardmembers, the Board Appreciation Dinner provides a relaxed venue for board members to get toknow each other and the Maine State Chamber staff. This is our opportunity to thank veteranboard members and welcome new members to our Board of Directors.

Business Day at the Legislature: Annually, this event hosts 300+ employers, as well as Mainelegislators and administrators, with the ultimate goal of increasing collaboration to ultimatelystrengthen the state’s economy and keep Maine competitive. This casual setting provides a uniqueopportunity to discuss business issues and priorities, and to share first-hand information aboutthe daily struggles businesses face. Business Day at the Statehouse emphasizes the importanceof preserving and retaining existing jobs, strengthening Maine’s economy through the creationof new opportunities, and keeping businesses competitive in this very fragile economy.

Washington, D.C. Fly-In: With more and more issues that affect our state being decided in Washington, the Maine State Chamber held its fifth D.C. Fly-in in March 2017. Visits with eachof Maine’s delegates were scheduled, and attendees received each one’s personal attention. Avariety of current public policy issues were discussed, including updates on health care, energyissues, transportation funding, and budgetary issues, to name a few.

Health Care Forum: This informative and timely presentation explored the status of the federalhealth care reform law “after the Supreme Court decision.” A panel of experts provided themost current information on what the future may hold for businesses and employees.

Leadership Summit: These Leadership Summits provide opportunities for our board members and in-vited guests to connect with commissioners, House and Senate leadership, committee chairs, and keycommittee members. The Maine State Chamber takes pride in providing opportunities for Maine’sbusiness and government leaders to engage in honest, open dialogue about top public policy issues.

Legislative Social: Our annual Legislative Social is an ideal way for Maine business leaders to in-teract with legislators, business associates, new and prospective Maine State Chamber members,and government representatives in a relaxed setting.

Regional Business Breakfasts: Maine State Chamber’s annual Regional Business Breakfasts bring“the Chamber to your region,” enabling us to hear first-hand about the concerns of each region’slocal business, as well as providing an opportunity to present the latest public policy informationthat employers there need to know.

Scramble for Scholars Golf Tournament: Since 1995, the Maine State Chamber of Commercehas proudly assisted 100 students through the generosity of its members. Including our 2017awards, these scholarships represent a total of $144,000 in tuition assistance to date.

Topic-Specific Workshops: In addition to our slate of annual programs and events, the MaineState Chamber of Commerce organizes several workshops and seminars to address the most cur-rent topics of importance to Maine businesses.

CONTINUED ON REVERSE...

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The Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine(www.e2tech.org), a network of companies, non-profits, educational institu-tions, and government agencies involved in Maine’s energy and environmentaltechnology sector, is charged with advancing job growth, research and devel-opment, and new product commercialization.

FocusMaine (www.focusmaine.org) is dedicated tostrengthening and revitalizing opportunity and prosperity inMaine by accelerating the creation of quality jobs within afew sectors that have high growth potential.

Maine & Company (www.maineco.org) helps companiesfind Maine locations to expand or relocate by providingcritical information for decision-making.

The Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives(www.macce.biz) provides a forum where local and regional chamber execu-tives meet to share ideas, network with peers, and build partnerships with otherchambers of commerce across Maine.

The Maine Business Leadership Network (www.mainebln.org ) is a statewide,employer-driven program designed for business leaders to promote hiring practicesthat enable qualified people with disabilities to enter and succeed in the workplace.

Maine Career Connect (www.mainecareerconnect.org) works on behalf of pro-fessional organizations to solve their issues regarding the recruitment and reten-tion of skilled employees. Through nurturing, networking, and forging newprofessional and personal connections, new hires and their families are betterrooted and ready to make Maine the best place to work, play and call home.

The Maine Economic Research Institute’s (www.me-ri.org) mission is to im-prove Maine’s business environment by providing objective information to en-hance economic policy making and through improved public policy.

The Maine State Chamber Workers’ Compensation Group Trust is a self-insured group entity that provides workers’ compensation group coverage toits business members as a long-term workers’ compensation solution.

Published weekly during the legislative session andmonthly during the off-session, IMPACT offers ahigh-quality, well-written discussion about legisla-tive and regulatory matters, Maine business policy,

and the legislative session’s proceedings for business leaders across the state.

Our Legislative Week Ahead, a snapshot of the biggest legislative issues ofthe week, provides a weekly video forecast of the biggest issues facing law-makers in Augusta during the upcoming week. Our Advocacy team breaksdown the issues and what they mean to your business. New episodes are postedeach Monday to the Chamber’s webpage at www.mainechamber.org and to ourMaine Corner Store site at www.mainecornerstore.org.

The Maine Chamber Minute (www.mainechamber.org/chamberminute) pro-vides brief video updates on pending legislation and important events, programs,or activities that help Maine’s business community stay current on issues thatimpact job creation and economic growth in the state.

The Maine Human Resources Manual helps Maine employers run their busi-nesses more efficiently and effectively. Written specifically for Maine employ-ers, this easy-to-understand guide offers information on the most current topicsemployers deal with on a daily basis, including recruiting and hiring, wagesand hours, independent contractors, discrimination, disabilities, leave, employeebenefits, health care reform, and recordkeeping requirements.

Making Maine Work Series: The Maine State Chamber, in partnership withthe Maine Development Foundation, released its initial report, Making MaineWork: Critical Investments for the Maine Economy in July 2010. The MakingMaine Work series is a strategic, thoughtful effort that focuses legislative debatesquarely on building more opportunity for jobs, innovation, and prosperity. Thefive reports in our Making Maine Work series can be found online atwww.mainechamber.org/makingmainework.php.

News That Matters to You!, is a daily news clipping service high-lighting stories from various Maine media outlets. News That Mat-ters to You! provides our members with links to articles fromMaine’s leading news sources on business, politics and other issuesof importance to you.

NATIONALRECOGNITION

PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

AFFILIATES AND PARTNERSHIPS

D.C. Fly-In: Our visit with U.S. Senator Susan Collins

Business Day at the Statehouse

Scramble for Scholars Golf Tournament

Estimated Return on Your Membership Investment: $300+ MILLION

Each year, the Maine StateChamber continues to receive national recognition at the jointAnnual Meeting of the Councilof State Chambers and Association of State ChamberProfessionals. Consistently, for more than seven years, we have been presented withmember retention awards. In 2013, the Maine StateChamber received the prestigious “President’sAward” for its achievementsand excellence in its advocacyefforts, program development,publications, initiatives, mem-ber programs, and events. We are proud of these achievements and remain committed to serving our member businesses!

SEE MORE ON REVERSE...

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