Craft beer support
The craft beer industry in Maine is growing. More than 60 breweries are licensed in Maine, and more Mainers are choosing to drink locally brewed beers than ever before.
Today, there are very few brewers in the state who can meet the demand for their product; in this capital-intensive business, brewers often are unable to scale up fast enough. Something needs to be done, and Maine’s congressional delegation is answering the call.
On Wednesday, Sen. Susan Collins introduced a bill, the Small BREW Act, which has the potential to accelerate the growth of the craft beer industry, not only in Maine but nationwide. The Small BREW Act is a measure that will recalibrate the federal excise taxes paid by small brewers on the beer they produce, freeing up cash to be invested in the growth of their breweries, add jobs and scale up to meet consumer demand.
The Small BREW Act would directly and positively impact every brewery in the state of Maine and is a top priority for our state’s brewers.
Maine’s craft beer brewers sell over $100 million worth of beer annually, support more than 1,500 jobs and operate throughout Maine. Growth of Maine’s craft beer industry also benefits others: More Maine farmers are growing hops and barley to sell to breweries, tradesmen are hired to expand facilities and hotels and restaurants are benefitting from the influx of beer tourists.
Tax recalibration for America’s small brewers makes good sense for job creation and will greatly benefit Maine.
Sean M. Sullivan
Executive Director
Maine Brewers’ Guild
South Portland
Costly mistake
I’ve never seen a tax referendum that didn’t cost you money.
Herbie Kerr
Harmony
ALEC rules
I receive several pleas every day from all of kinds of groups asking me to contact my legislator about one issue or another. Many of these I care about and would like to contact my senators and representatives and tell them how I would like them to vote.
But this year, I have given up. They should just vote for whatever the American Legislative Executive Council wants. What the heck, they are going to vote for the group’s bills anyway, even though they never get to read them before voting. So just go ahead, vote for everything ALEC wants.
I’m sure we will all be just fine with all of their ideas. And don’t waste anytime with debate and amendments; in fact, just disband the Legislature and let ALEC run the government.
Lynne Horst
Addison
Sterilize your pets
February is national Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. Each year, thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are brought to local animal shelters. These crowded shelters are left with the task of caring of them, nursing them back to health when necessary and finding responsible owners to provide loving homes for them.
This all can be avoided by having your pet spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering not only will reduce the overall number of unwanted dogs and cats but also will reduce unwanted behavioral problems, such as territorial marking, roaming, humping and aggression. Risk of certain medical conditions, such as uterine infections, cancers of the uterus and ovaries, testicular tumors and hyperplasia, are eliminated by spaying and neutering as well. Risks and complications from having pets sterilized are minimal.
The cost of spaying and neutering is a concern for many individuals. Local veterinarians perform numerous spays and neuters daily to clients, but for those with financial constraints there are options: The Community Spay-Neuter clinic in Freeport provides low-cost sterilization and there is financial assistance available through the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County.
Unless someone has a purebred dog or cat and a strong desire to be a responsible breeder, most animals should be spayed or neutered. Please do your part by having your pets spayed or neutered. They will live a longer and healthier life as a result.
Glenn A. Yovino, DVM
Harbor Road Veterinary Hospital
Rockland