Top Maine lawmakers have benefited from federal loans, including Sara Gideon
PORTLAND, Maine – A federal program criticized by House Speaker Sara Gideon for helping special interests has granted a $ 1 million to $ 2 million forgivable loan to her husband’s law firm, according to the Federal data released Monday. Other legislative leaders from both parties also took advantage.
Data shows that entities ranging from schools like Maine Maritime Academy and Waynflete School to breweries like Allagash Brewing Co. and Bissell Brothers to hoteliers like Migis Hotel Group and The Olympia Companies have received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, designed to help businesses during the pandemic.
Most of the state’s largest law firms, including Lewiston-based Berman & Simmons, which employs Gideon’s husband, have asked for help with the program, according to the SBA.
Gideon, a Democrat from Freeport, criticized the program, co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, saying it benefits big business and special interests, not just the small businesses it was supposed to help. Gideon is pushing for his party’s nomination to challenge Collins in November.
“From the onset of this crisis, Sara has made it clear that this is the time when Washington needs to put politics aside and do what is best for workers and small businesses, not big businesses and special interests. “said Maeve Coyle, spokesperson for Gideon. She noted that more than 400 law firms have received assistance under the program.
Collins’ office noted that the SBA found that nearly 80% of estimated small business payrolls were covered by loans in Maine. Notably, a hardware company run by Collins’ brothers, SW Collins in Caribou, paid off its loans without using them.
“The paycheck protection program has been a lifeline for small businesses and their employees during the pandemic,” Collins said last week when the program’s deadline was extended.
In total, more than 27,000 entities have received approximately $ 2.2 billion in forgivable loans in Maine, the SBA said.
On Monday, the SBA released the names of companies receiving loans over $ 150,000, less than 20% of all recipients.
Several other businesses and organizations that benefited from the program were linked to legislative leaders in Maine:
– A furniture store owned by Senate Minority Leader Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, has received aid of between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000, the SBA said. He is listed as the owner while his wife and two dependents work in the store, according to a state disclosure form. Dow said the loan allowed it to keep its workforce employed for eight weeks when earnings were down two-thirds.
– Deputy Senate Minority Leader Jeffrey Timberlake, R-Turner, has received $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 in aid each for two companies, Ricker Hill Farms Inc. and Richard Hill Orchards Inc, both located in Turner.
–Senate Majority Leader Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, is a paid consultant with Community Concepts Inc. in his hometown. Community Concepts has received loans between $ 1 million and $ 2 million.
In addition, Senate Speaker Troy Jackson, an Allagash Democrat, served as an unpaid board member of health care provider Fish River Rural Health, a federally licensed health center that has received a loan between 350,000 and 1 million dollars.
David Sharp of the Associated Press wrote this report.