Issues: Jobs and the Economy
Federal regulations can impose unexpected and costly requirements on small businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. A prime example is a new U.S. Department of Labor rule on overtime pay that could harm the very workers it intends to help, cause small businesses to curb hiring, and force universities and colleges to either raise tuition or cut programs.
The new rule, scheduled to take effect this December, will double the current annual salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 for mandatory overtime.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s announcement of the final overtime rule, a major federal rule change that would double the salary threshold for workers entitled to receive overtime wages from $23,660 to $47,476:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award a total of $380,170 in federal funding to the Maine Forest Service in support of Maine’s forest products industry. The Maine Forest Service will receive two Wood Innovation Grants through the USDA: $130,170 to establish a Maine State Wood Energy Assistance Team, and $250,000 for a program titled, “Strengthening and Expanding Maine Wood Markets.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today congratulated the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) on being honored with the prestigious “E” Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The “E” Award is the highest honor that a U.S. organization, institution, or company can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of America’s exports. MITC was recognized for its role in supporting Maine companies as they work to export their goods and services overseas.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced today that their crews have located the missing voyage data recorder from the commercial ship, El Faro. NTSB will now attempt to retrieve the device.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S.
Delegation tells Secretary of State, U.S. Trade Representative and head of NOAA that import ban isn't warranted
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in support for the recently filed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition to assist the more than 200 workers at Madison Paper Industries who are being displaced in large measure to increased foreign competition.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the announcement that Madison Paper Industries mill in Madison will close by the end of May:
“This is devastating news for Madison’s dedicated employees and their families as well as for the Town of Madison and the entire state of Maine. We stand ready to assist any and all affected workers in whatever ways we can,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to take immediate action to bolster Maine’s forest-based economy in the wake of several mill closures that have left communities in rural Maine in the midst of an economic crisis.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congressmen Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin joined a group of 27 other members of Congress on a letter urging U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf to exercise his legal authority to investigate and take action against products that falsely claim to contain maple syrup.
The Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act encourages building reuse and redevelopment in small, midsize, and rural communities.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins will attend the 41st Annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum today at the Samoset Resort. The three-day event is expected to draw approximately 3,000 people, including fisherman, scientists, managers, and NOAA officials.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins participated in a forum regarding small businesses, aging, and retirement security, among other topics at Husson University. The forum, part of the popular series, “A Conversation at the Dyke Center,” was hosted by the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business. Senator Collins was the founding executive director of the Center. Dr. Nancy Forster-Holt, the current Director, was Senator Collins’ conversation partner.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins will participate in a forum regarding small businesses, aging, and retirement security, among other topics tomorrow at Husson University. The forum will be hosted by the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business and is part of the popular series, “A Conversation at the Dyke Center.” Dr. Nancy Forster-Holt, the Director of the Dyke Center, will be Senator Collins’ conversation partner.
BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Susan Collins surprised her congressional intern and honoree, Lee Jackson, this afternoon at the McDonald’s Crew Person of the Year Recognition event in Bangor to congratulate him on receiving this impressive award. Lee was one of only 25 McDonald’s employees nationwide to receive the McDonald’s Crew Person of the Year Award. Lee has served as an intern in Senator Collins’ Bangor Constituent Service Center since October 2015 and was a part of Senator Collins’ successful 2014 campaign.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development and Coastal Enterprises Inc. received grant awards of $390,000 and $250,000, respectively, from the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2015 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program.
When I ask employers in Maine what Washington needs to do to help them add jobs, they tell me this: reduce the cost and complexity of the federal regulations imposed on them. And this is not just a concern voiced by Maine businesses. Earlier this year, a poll of small business owners across the country found that the vast majority aren’t hiring new workers right now, and more than six in ten pointed to government regulations as the reason why.
Washington, D.C. – As Americans prepare for tax season, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairman of the Aging Committee, and Patty Murray (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today introduced the Save Access to a Valuable Investment Needed to Generate Savings (SAVINGS) Act of 2016. Original co-sponsors of the bill include Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO).
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on behalf of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine requesting a bonus buy of Maine wild blueberries. Bonus buys help protect American farmers from unexpected market conditions by purchasing surplus goods and distributing them to food banks and other charitable institutions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The fiscal year 2016 omnibus that was recently signed into law includes a provision authored by Senator Susan Collins that would block the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed E-labeling rule for prescribing information, which would be acutely felt by rural Americans in Maine and across our country. This provision will protect paper inserts that are important tools for our pharmacists and health care professionals in charge of administering life-saving medications to our hardworking families and seniors.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The tax-relief package recently signed into law includes an important provision authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, that makes the $250 teacher tax credit permanent. This provisionwill provide important tax relief to help cover the out-of-pocket expenses our nation’s teachers incur to improve the education of our children. Senator Collins authored the law that first created the $250 teacher tax deduction in 2002.
As we turn the page on 2015 and look to the future, I welcome this opportunity to share some of the accomplishments of the past year. Although much work remains to be done, I was able to achieve progress on issues that matter to the people of Maine, whom I am honored to represent in the United States Senate.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator and Senior Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Susan Collins, successfully secured major provisions for Maine in the FY2016 Omnibus Bill, which will fund the government through next September. The legislation passed the Senate (65-33) this afternoon, following the House vote of (316-113) earlier today. The legislation was signed into law by the President this evening.
Three key provisions authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins will greatly benefit small businesses in Maine and across our country.
Senator Collins, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Ron Johnson, and NFIB President Dan Danner hold a news conference to highlight critical small business tax relief.
These three important provisions will strengthen our economy in Maine and across our nation and make it easier for small businesses to grow and create jobs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the Department of Commerce’s countervailing duty order on supercalendered paper from Canada that was published today:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the 195 workers displaced by the closure of the Expera Specialty Solutions pulp mill in Old Town has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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