Maine House Republican Office sent this bulletin at 10/04/2024 01:46 PM EDT
In this week’s E-News update:
PFML webinars
Bonds on the Ballot
Join the Rut Watch
Community Event Spotlight
Fryeburg Fair
Sunday River Fest
Maine Craft Weekend
With contributions to Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program set to begin on January 1, 2025, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) has launched a campaign designed to provide guidance about the new law. MDOL has partnered with four statewide organizations, the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the Maine Paid Leave Coalition, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, to host a series of informational webinars in October:
Worker-Focused Webinars
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Paid Leave Coalition Webinar
October 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition Webinar
October 22, 2024 | 5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Employer-Focused Webinars
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and National Federation of Independent Business in Maine (NFIB) Webinar
October 23, 2024 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine State Chamber of Commerce Webinar
October 16, 2024 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
CLICK the link below for more information or to register:
The November statewide election will allow voters to authorize or reject three bond proposals totaling $65M in state borrowing. The proposals include $30M for the development and improvement of outdoor trails, $25M for research, development and commercialization in life sciences, renewable energy and agriculture, and $10M for the preservation of historic buildings.
The total interest and principal that may reasonably be expected to be paid is $82,875,000.00, representing $65,000,000.00 in principal and $17,875,000.00 in interest.
QUESTION 2:Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?
QUESTION 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local market match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?
QUESTION 4:Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?
To gather additional information about white-tailed deer rut timing and breeding behaviors from hunters and wildlife watchers, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) added the Rut Watch survey to the Maine Deer Spy community science project.
Maine Deer Spy is the umbrella term for the Maine IF&W community science projects for deer. It began with the flagship “Deer Spy,” which is a project developed to improve MDIFW’s understanding of deer recruitment in Maine. Additional projects will be added to the Maine Deer Spy page as they are developed.
Participating is easy! When you observe any white-tailed deer breeding season behaviors between October 1 and December 31, share your information with the department by clicking the link below or by visiting mefishwildlife.com/rutwatch
Data from this project are compiled at the end of each observation season and will be summarized each year in the MDIFW Research and Management Report.
The West Oxford Agricultural Society will host Maine's largest agricultural fair from September 29 to October 6. Come enjoy the beautiful setting in prime foliage season. Exhibit halls, museum, harness racing and livestock shows.
CLICK the link below for more information or to buy tickets:
The Sunday River Fall Fest October 12-13 includes the 40th Annual Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair and the Maine Beer Box. “With classic and quirky events like the North American Wife Carrying Championship, our annual Sunday River Sports Sale, scenic chairlift rides, and more, you won't want to miss this event during peak foliage season.”
Maine Craft Weekend invites the public to explore craft and its makers across Maine. Produced by the Maine Crafts Association in Partnership with Maine Made, Maine Craft Weekend aims to promote awareness of and appreciation for craft while supporting local artists and businesses.
CLICK the link below for more information and to find an event near you:
