The 4-year-old Informed Growth Act required large retail stores in Maine to go through an extra hoop to analyze their potential adverse impact on the community. The Maine House repealed the act last week.
Those in favor of the repeal argued that the Act "discourages national companies from building stores in Maine because the law adds costs and risks to the permitting process," writes reporter Tom Bell.
The repeal bill, as passed, brings the decisionmaking process down to the local level. Supporters of the Act worry that this will mean that some cities will encourage big-box development and create adverse effects on their communities.
FULL STORY: House passes repeal of anti-big-box bill
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