MSBA Legislative Update 02-13-09
TAX COMMITTEE REVISITS TAX REFORM
The Taxation Committee received orientation briefings regarding previous legislative tax reform efforts, the various details related to the most recent proposal in 2007, and whether members of the Committee wish to pursue a similar tax reform effort during the 2009 Session. Both the House and Senate Chairs of the Committee wish to pursue a tax reform bill, but it is unclear the level of support such a proposal will receive either from the Administration, or from other legislators.
We will continue to monitor the discussion by the Committee, and keep you apprised to the direction any tax reform proposal may be headed.
During discussions relating to tax reform efforts, some reference has been made to a tax on professional services. We have specifically inquired of the House Chair, and to the former House Chair of the Committee, regarding any interest in taxing legal services. Both have definitively indicated no interest in proposing a tax on legal services, and have specifically stated that it is not their intent to place taxes on business-to-business services. We will, of course, continue to monitor all discussions relating to these issues and keep you apprised.
JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION HEARINGS SCHEDULED
The Judiciary Committee has scheduled the confirmation hearings for the six nominations recently posted by Governor Baldacci. They are:
February 19, 2009
1:00 p.m. Chief Justice Saufley
2:00 p.m. Justice Hunter
3:00 p.m. Justice Jabar
February 24, 2009
1:00 p.m. Justice Levy
2:00 p.m. - Judge Beliveau
3:00 p.m. Judge Kennedy
LEGISLATIVE DATABASE
A link to an updated legislative database is below for your information. It contains any newly introduced bills that we have identified of interest to the MSBA, along with updated status listings of previously introduced bills.
Click here for your Legislative Database.
Click here for a text document of this report.
As always, please dont hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:
Pattie Aho at 207-622-6311 or paho@pierceatwood.com