Help Pass Co-op Bill LD 756 – Submit Testimony Today!

[Emmy]

Hi cooperators!

LD 756 is up for a hearing on March 12th at 10 AM, and your testimony can make a big difference in supporting stronger democratic ownership development in Maine.

Maine businesses often close because the owners lack a plan for transition. If you know a business that failed due to this, or one that needs a plan but doesn’t know how to move forward, sharing that story in a testimony to the Taxation Committee can make a huge impact.

If you don’t have a personal story, you can still show support by submitting testimony in favor of the bill. Use the template below to get started, reference the fact sheet attached, and make your voice heard in support of stronger democratic ownership development in Maine. 

You can submit your updated testimony to the Taxation Committee HERE.

 

Bill: LD 576 - An Act Creating and Sustaining Jobs Through the Development of Cooperatives and Employee-owned Businesses by Providing Tax Deductions for Certain Qualified Business Activities

Sponsor: Senator Cameron Reny.

Hearing Date: March 12

Hearing Time: 10 AM

TEMPLATE for Testimony in Support of LD 756, An Act Creating and Sustaining Jobs Through the Development of Cooperatives and Employee-owned Businesses by Providing Tax Deductions for Certain Qualified Business Activities:

 

Senator Grohoski, Representative Perry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation,

 

My name is [Your name], and I am [your role, e.g. "an employee at [co-op Name]" or "a maine resident and supporter of cooperative businesses"]. I am writing to show my strong support for LD 756, which would create important financial incentives, and education and technical assistance programs, to sustain and grow employee-owned businesses and cooperatives in Maine.

 

There are many businesses in our community where the owner is nearing retirement age, and it's common knowledge that many of them do not have a plan to continue the business when they retire. If these businesses are closed and liquidated for lack of planning, that would harm our local economy and hurt our community’s access to goods and services. LD 756 would provide support to preserve these businesses, protect jobs, and strengthen local economies.

 

As a [worker-owner, co-op member, small business owner, community member], I have seen firsthand how cooperative and employee-owned enterprises create stable jobs, increase worker quality of life, and keep wealth within our local communities. Employee-owned companies often pay higher wages, offer more benefits and give working class Mainers an opportunity to build wealth through ownership.

 

LD 756 is an investment in Maine’s future, ensuring that businesses remain locally owned and that workers have pathways to economic security. I will help our rural and urban communities thrive. 

 

I urge the Committee to vote in favor of LD 756 and help create a more resilient, locally controlled economy in Maine. Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Organization ...if applicable]

[your Town, ME]

Thank you for supporting this bill!

Emmy Andersson

Cooperative Maine Business Alliance Network Coordinator

eande...@cdi.coop, em...@maine.coop

Pronouns: She, Her, They

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