The RLDAM Legislative Committee, in collaboration with lobbyist Dan Riley, plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong connections with state legislators and the Governor’s office in Maine. Their primary focus for 2024 is addressing the pressing issues affecting Maine’s business climate, which currently ranks 48th out of 50 states. A highlight of their efforts was a very successful Lobby Day, led by Chair Rod Wiles in the prestigious Hall of Flags within Maine’s State House. This event garnered a strong turnout from RLDAM members.
During Lobby Day, attendees actively engaged with legislators on crucial topics. The discussions included introducing RLDAM and emphasizing the vital role of the LBM (Lumber and Building Materials) industry in supporting good-paying jobs and addressing the challenges within Maine’s business climate. Chair Rod Wiles demonstrated effective leadership by conducting a productive one-on-one meeting with the Speaker of the House, a significant opportunity to discuss RLDAM’s agenda and major issues facing the LBM industry.
The success of Lobby Day was not only attributed to the chair but also to the grassroots efforts of RLDAM’s legislative committee members who took proactive steps by reaching out to their local representatives, urging them to attend the event. This grassroots approach yielded great success, with many members securing one-on-one meetings with their representatives.
The legislative agenda presented during Lobby Day encompassed eight major issues, all strategically focused on improving the business climate in Maine. This is a crucial issue considering Maine’s current ranking of 48th out of 50 for both business and regulatory climates. RLDAM aimed to introduce legislators to the LBM industry, emphasizing its positive impact on Maine’s economy and the creation of good-paying jobs associated with it. The meeting between Chair Rod Wiles and the Speaker of the House elevated the discussions to a high level, providing an opportunity to delve into RLDAM’s agenda and address the major challenges facing the LBM industry. Overall, the Lobby Day was a great success for RLDAM’s advocacy and garnered support from key stakeholders in Maine’s legislative landscape.
