AUGUSTA, Maine—While President Barack Obama calls for passage of a jobs bill in Washington, Maine's top legislative leaders are also calling for bipartisan congressional action to enact a job-creating package.
Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell and House Speaker Hannah Pingree, both Democrats, held a State House news conference Tuesday to call for a jobs bill that benefits small businesses.
Mitchell, of Vassalboro, said she hopes a bill passes in Congress that includes tax incentives for small businesses that hire new employees. That was seconded by an Augusta businessman, Roger Pomerleau, who said businesses are holding off hiring until the future becomes more certain.
Pingree, of North Haven, said the nearly 150,000 small businesses in Maine provide potential for new jobs.
