Today, the Taxation Committee discussed the Governor’s recent proposal regarding tax conformity for companies receiving PPP loans. In a nutshell, Governor Mills is proposing full tax conformity for businesses that received under $1,000,000 in PPP loans. Additionally, those businesses that received over $1,000,000 would get full conformity on the first $1,000,000 and then the remaining amount would be taxed as income for Maine tax purposes.

To read the Governor’s press release on her compromise proposal, identifying that it would extend full tax relief to more than 99% of Maine businesses that received PPP loans, click here.

However, according to a cursory analysis of public information, we have identified more than 30 MMTA members who would be adversely impacted by this proposal comparing their tax circumstance with full tax conformity. Put differently, Governor Mills compromise proposal would have the state collect more than $3.3 million on the backs of MMTA members for the political decision not to completely conform Maine’s tax code to the federal code.

Despite the benefit to the many small and medium sized MMTA members who would benefit from full conformity because they received PPP loans under $1 million, the 30+ members who would not be eligible for full conformity employ almost 20% of all trucking industry jobs in Maine. We will be sure to remind legislators that the jobs that these employers provide are no more or less important than those provided by other Maine businesses.

ST. AGATHA, Maine (WAGM) - A truck company in the county has won an award for the third time due to their focus on safety.

RF Chamberland, a small third generation truck company in St. Agatha won The Grand Champion award. This award is based on clean accident and violation records, as well as safety programs effectiveness, as the safest motor carrier in Maine for 2020.

The Maine Motor Transport Association held their annual banquet and safety awards virtually this year.

MMTA is currently working towards determining the feasibility of holding the 2021 Maine Professional Truck Driving Championships and the Professional Technician Skills Competition. To that end, we have verified that Dysart’s and EMMC are generously willing to allow us to hold the respective competitions at their facilities as long as the pandemic stays relatively status quo and the Maine CDC doesn’t implement additional restrictions.

The next step for us is to gauge the participant interest for both competitions – from drivers and techs to whether companies will allow their team members to compete. Please complete the online survey to help inform our decisions so we can make plans and appropriately communicate with members.

As the prospects of an increase in the availability of the COVID vaccine improve, we know that MMTA members are preparing for the eventuality that trucking’s workforce will be eligible to receive the vaccine. In response, we hosted a webinar to answer a lot of the questions our member have had such as:

Special appreciation goes to Ali Tozier and Stacey Neumann from Murray, Plumb & Murray who developed and delivered the presentation on February 8, 2021 FREE OF CHARGE to members of the MMTA. Click on the video above to watch the 50-minute webinar and feel free to send the link to anyone in your network who might benefit from this information.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set May 4-6 as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck. Over that 72-hour period, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct inspections on commercial motor vehicles and drivers.

“CVSA shares the dates of International Roadcheck in advance to remind motor carriers and drivers of the importance of proactive vehicle maintenance and driver readiness,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “International Roadcheck also aims to raise awareness of the North American Standard Inspection Program and the essential highway safety rules and regulations in place to keep our roadways safe.”

Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating.

We will keep MMTA members posted as new information comes in. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email Tim, Randy or Brian if you have questions.