The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Bangor-area Church Sues School Board for Religious Discrimination in Lease Rejection
  • Protest at Maine State House for Iraq War Veteran Killed in 2022 Memorial Day Shooting
  • Competitive Shooting Event to Raise More Than $75k for Travis Mills Foundation with USPSA Maine State Championship
  • GOP Wants Limits on “Net Energy Billing” to Rein in Electricity Rates
  • N.H. Residents Fear Maine “Trans Sanctuary” Bill Will Harm Granite State Kids: WGME
  • Critics of Drag Queen Story Hour Are “Perverts,” Says Bookstore Owner Who Wants Children at Her Drag Event
  • Out-of-State Firms Reaping Windfall Profits on Maine’s $220M Per Year Community Solar Program
  • Gov’t Watchdog Warns That COVID Aid Fraudsters Could Escape Jail Time
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Thursday, June 1
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Will Maine make it easier for skilled professionals to relocate here?
News

Will Maine make it easier for skilled professionals to relocate here?

Nick MurrayBy Nick MurrayMarch 16, 2021Updated:March 16, 2021No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

On Tuesday, lawmakers on Maine’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement, and Business Committee held a virtual public hearing on LD 612, An Act To Recognize Occupational Licenses and Certifications from Other States To Attract New Residents and Businesses to Maine, sponsored by Representative John Andrews of West Paris.

The bill would allow skilled professionals licensed in another state to gain licensure to work in Maine, provided they are in good standing with their state’s licensing board. Ultimately, it would help thousands of workers and entrepreneurs make the move to Maine and build a better life here.

Licensure is far and away the most restrictive of all regulatory tools. If the goal is to ensure consumer health and safety, the Institute for Justice’s “Inverted Pyramid” diagram highlights the many ways consumers can be protected from potentially harmful business practices without imposing a new licensing regime.

Central to this issue are the thousands of workers and entrepreneurs who face these regulatory hurdles simply to earn a living in their field. Maine Policy Institute’s testimony in support of the measure highlighted the story of Kim Fichthorn, a dental hygienist and transplant from Texas who lived through the burdensome process of obtaining licensure in Maine. LD 612 is meant for people like her.

The bill provides plenty of safeguards for the public, including ensuring applicants are in good standing with their state of origin and have passed that state’s licensing exam. This should be all that is necessary to empower people to put down roots and build a life here in Maine. It would have saved individuals like Fichthorn hundreds of dollars and countless hours of headaches.

Though some state regulators and legislators signaled they are against the bill as its currently written, Anne Head, Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, offered to work with Rep. Andrews to assuage the concerns of those in her office.

There is no reason to maintain outdated, anti-competitive, anti-entrepreneurial regulations that only serve to reduce access to affordable services for Maine people.

Also supporting the bill were MaineHealth and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine. Watch Maine Policy Institute’s testimony on LD 612 below:

Read more about occupational licensing reform in the Maine Legislative Guidebook and in Maine Policy’s 2018 report, Let Us Work.

Commentary Featured licensing occupational licensing Opinion
Previous ArticleFederal ‘COVID’ spending just hit $41,870 per taxpayer. Did you see that much in benefit?
Next Article New analysis shows Mainers can’t keep up with government spending
Nick Murray
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Nick Murray, a resident of Poland, currently serves as Director of Policy with Maine Policy Institute, developing MPI's policy research, analysis, and strategic advocacy priorities. He is the author of numerous articles and publications such as the 50-State Emergency Powers Scorecard, Long-Term Growth vs. Short-Term Gimmicks: Maine's Economy and Gov. Mills' Second Biennial Budget, Sticker Shock: Maine's Burdensome Vehicle Inspection Mandate, and COVID Catastrophe: the Consequences of Societal Shutdowns.

Related Posts

Bangor-area Church Sues School Board for Religious Discrimination in Lease Rejection

May 31, 2023

Protest at Maine State House for Iraq War Veteran Killed in 2022 Memorial Day Shooting

May 31, 2023

Competitive Shooting Event to Raise More Than $75k for Travis Mills Foundation with USPSA Maine State Championship

May 31, 2023

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Bangor-area Church Sues School Board for Religious Discrimination in Lease Rejection

May 31, 2023

Protest at Maine State House for Iraq War Veteran Killed in 2022 Memorial Day Shooting

May 31, 2023

Competitive Shooting Event to Raise More Than $75k for Travis Mills Foundation with USPSA Maine State Championship

May 31, 2023

GOP Wants Limits on “Net Energy Billing” to Rein in Electricity Rates

May 31, 2023

N.H. Residents Fear Maine “Trans Sanctuary” Bill Will Harm Granite State Kids: WGME

May 31, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.