AUBURN – House Democrats have a message for local businesses: The Augusta reps are all ears.

A panel of area Democrats is holding a forum to ask business people about their problems and what Augusta can do to fix them. The forum is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the Munroe Inn, 123 Pleasant St.

The panel is a satellite of the Working Group for Small Business, a group of 16 legislators researching issues since February that affect small business. The group, appointed by House Majority Leader John Richardson, is drafting a Small Business Bill of Rights and Action Plan. It’s looking statewide for input from small businesses.

“At the Augusta meeting, people were concerned about insurance – workers comp, liability insurance and health insurance,” said David Connerty-Marin, spokesman for the House Democrats. “In Bath, people were really excited about the 3-1-1 business assistance line.”

The assistance line is one of the 23 recommendations identified by the group in the draft Action Plan. The plan is broken into three broad categories: streamlining regulations and paperwork to contain costs; mobilizing state resources to benefit small business; and creating a business climate that helps small businesses grow. The draft Bill of Rights says Maine citizens have the right to a business culture that supports and encourages small business.

“The idea is to present legislation to implement various proposals,” said Connerty-Marin. “We wouldn’t get the whole plan through in one year, but we could identify which are most important and which can be done fairly easily.”

Connerty-Marin said Richardson was eager to address business issues and hopes legislators on both sides of the aisle will sign on to the Working Group as it gathers momentum.

Attendees are asked to pre-register by calling 287-1430 or online at www.mainehousedems.org/business. A light breakfast will be provided.