We started this week off on a sad note as we learned on Monday that Pride Manufacturing is closing the doors to their Burnham facility. In addition to being featured as a tour at our Annual Meeting in 2023, Lincoln Logs were a Christmas present for Krysta’s sons this past year. Ellen is making an order for her niece and nephews this week. The loss of this facility that manufactured a diverse portfolio of products will be felt throughout the industry in central Maine.
On Tuesday we started our week bright and early with Timber Talk , our Legislative Breakfast Series. We featured Neil Thompson, UMFK; Alex Ingraham, Maine Budworm Response Coalition; and Patty Cormier, Maine Forest Service who gave an update on the success of 2025’s budworm treatment strategy. We had a strong turnout of lawmakers, staff and members. View the full presentation here.
Our next and final breakfast event of the session will be on February 24th will feature a panel on the state of the forest economy. Sponsored by Robbins Lumber and Sappi, this event is now open for registration for members and lawmakers. RSVPs can also be sent to Ellen at eparent@maineforest.org.
***
Also on Tuesday, the Taxation Committee held a public hearing on LD 2044, “An Act To Allow For The Transferability Of The Biofuel Production And Renewable Chemicals Tax Credits.” This bill would retool an existing tax incentive that has not yet been utilized in a way that would make it more beneficial for where we are at in establishing biofuel manufacturing today. MFPC was joined by representatives from Biofine and Castlerock testifying in favor of this bill, with Prentiss and Carlisle and Katahdin Forest Management submitting testimony in support as well. ***
On Wednesday, the Taxation Committee held a work session on LD 191, “An Act To Support Maine Businesses By Establishing A Pass-through Entity Tax And Tax Credit.” This bill has been championed by the Maine Manufacturing Association and supported by many members of the business community. The bill was tabled as it will likely be incorporated as the tax conformity prong of the governor’s budget.
***
On Thursday, the Health and Human Services Committee held a work session on LD 1737, ” An Act To Ensure The Future Of Maine’s Sporting Camp Heritage.” Though the committee voted “Ought Not to Pass,” the committee will be writing a letter asking the Department of Health and Human Services to consider regulatory changes as to how they assess the health and safety of heritage sporting camps that may have very different needs to a large urban hotel.
***
Next week will kick off on Monday – assuming Legislative work is not canceled due to the storm – in Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with a long anticipated work session on a bill that MFPC is vehemently opposed to, LD 19. According to a survey of our membership last year, this bill, which seeks to increase the allowable weight limit of ATVs to 2,500 pounds, would likely lead to the closure of at least 600 miles of trails on private lands. The Public Access to Private Lands Working Group, which was tasked with reviewing public access issues broadly, is in the final stages of drafting a report back to the IFW Committee. This report will include findings on ATV issues that should be informative to the Committee as they work through this bill. It is our hope that the IFW Committee either vote this bill down on Monday or postpone a vote until after the final report is presented early next month.
***