Home | The Maine Center for Economic Policy

State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine's Workforce

The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce. To fix the state's workforce shortage, Maine must address barriers for working-age Mainers and support in-migration.

Jobs and Income

Report: The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

Maine’s direct care workforce is in a fragile state. Low reimbursement rates for direct care work result in low pay, poor job quality, and worsening labor shortages for care providers. The consequences of undervaluing the services direct care workers provide that allow aging people, people with behavior health challenges, and people with disabilities to live with dignity are far-reaching.

Taxes and Budget

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

Instead of funneling money into unproven tax giveaways, the state should invest funds in programs including housing, child care, and paid leave that will improve economic opportunities for all Mainers, advance equity, and allow people to fully participate in the workforce.

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

MECEP advances equity and prosperity for all Maine people through issue-based analysis, education, and advocacy.

All

Bill to increase taxes on top earners is a step toward a fairer tax code and could be modified to deliver an even bigger boost to Mainers struggling with rising costs

MECEP All

Bill to increase taxes on top earners is a step toward a fairer tax code and could be modified to deliver an even bigger boost to Mainers struggling with rising costs

MECEP Taxes and Budget

Stay up to date

Join our email list to receive key information, in-depth analysis, opportunities for action, and other updates about MECEP’s work.

Our Privacy Policy

Public News Service

State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine's Workforce

Report: The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

Bill to increase taxes on top earners is a step toward a fairer tax code and could be modified to deliver an even bigger boost to Mainers struggling with rising costs

Maine lawmakers have signed off on worker protections — now they must fund their implementation

Tax Fairness — An Explainer

It’s right to re-examine highway funding in Maine

Bill to increase taxes on top earners is a step toward a fairer tax code and could be modified to deliver an even bigger boost to Mainers struggling with rising costs

Maine lawmakers have signed off on worker protections — now they must fund their implementation

Tax Fairness — An Explainer

It’s right to re-examine highway funding in Maine

Maine lawmakers have signed off on worker protections — now they must fund their implementation

Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools

How public policy has and hasn’t increased equity for Black Mainers

New approaches needed to protect Maine workers’ rights

Proposed changes to Medicare Savings Program would impact 45,000 older Mainers’ eligibility for health care benefits

In the words of workers: Erin

Survey results show a “broken” health care system in Maine

The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools

Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education

To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is broken — let’s fix it

People seeking asylum and refuge benefit Maine’s economy — lawmakers need to support them

How public policy has and hasn’t increased equity for Black Mainers

Rent relief is needed for Maine to endure its housing crisis

The Child Tax Credit — An Explainer

Stay up to date

ME legislation aims to uncover corporate tax avoidance

Wednesday Sit-Down: Corporate taxes in Maine

Public feedback on Gov. Mills’ budget changes: helpful, too discretionary, not enough

Effort continues to ensure state minimum wage for ME farmworkers

Wednesday Sit-Down: Minimum wage for Maine farm workers