MECEP Publications

Low-Income Housing Reforms

info@mecep.org (Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D, Federal Budget Analyst) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Maine's economy benefits from the $68 million in federal funds that support the Section 8 program, but reforms are needed.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program: Providing Local Relief to Maine with Federal Low-Income Housing Reform

info@mecep.org (Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D.) — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Maine Center for Economic Policy was contracted by the Maine Affordable Rental
Housing Coalition to survey local housing authorities in Maine to determine how effectively
the Section 8 program is meeting the needs of low-income people in Maine. The survey was
also used to detail how pending Congressional legislation might impact the program in our
State.

Quality, Affordable Health Care: A Work in Progress, A Window of Opportunity

info@mecep.org (Dr. Robert McAfee) — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For over four decades, Maine has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve health care quality, access and affordability. Reforming health care is the big issue of this election season. Maine's leadership efforts in health care reform has led to the lowest uninsured rate in New England. Dr. McAfee makes a compelling argument on how that standing will be jeopardized if recently enacted taxes on beer, wine and soft drinks are vetoed.

What's Next for School Funding Reform?

info@mecep.org (Douglas Rooks) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In 2007, the legislature enacted a landmark school district consolidation initiative to help with runaway school funding costs and a shrinking student population. Recognizing both the need for change and resistance to reform, this issue of Choices presents a 'third way' to make the consolidation law more attractive to local school districts.

Spreading Prosperity by Revitalizing Maine Woods Tourism

info@mecep.org (David Vail) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For the past few years, The Maine Center for Economic Policy has been advocating and researching strategies that have the best potential to bring economic prosperity to Maine's poorest counties. Tourism is one of these. In this issue, we continue our discussion on what is underway and what is still needed to bring world-class tourism to Maine's rim counties.

The State of Working Maine

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise and Sarah Richards) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Each fall, MECEP reports on the state of working Mainers. This annual report is produced in conjunction with the Economic Policy Institute's biennial national report, The State of Working America. Using 2007 U.S. government data (the most current available), The State of Working Maine reveals a picture of modest overall growth in Maine, coupled with limited income gains for typical Maine households.

Getting to the Middle:

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Tough economic times are here again and bold government action is required. Many Americans are slipping from the middle class and low-income families are falling further behind. Getting to the Middle provides detailed policy recommendations to help build a more resilient and prosperous state economy. This report is part of a national multi-state effort called the Working Poor Families Project designed to assess state policies and programs that help low-income families reach economic self-sufficiency.

Getting to the Middle: Executive Summary

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Report summary and policy recommendations to help build a strong middle-class.

Working Hard Still Falling Short

info@mecep.org (Brandon Roberts and Deborah Povich) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The American Dream is grounded in the belief that hard work leads to economic advancement and self-sufficiency. Today, the stark reality is that too many American families, despite working hard, earn incomes too low to achieve economic security. This report, by the Working Poor Families Project, analyzes the most recent U.S. Census data and makes policy recommendations that will support families in their efforts to work their way into the middle-class.

Megawatts from Mountain Tops: Part 1 Power to Rely On

info@mecep.org (Peter Mills) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Wind power is coming to Maine and with the current energy crisis this could be a very good thing. In this two part series we look at how Maine's policies on electric power, taxation and economic development presently intersect and how those policies must change to benefit from wind. Part 1 provides some history on national policies and Maine's electrical utilities structure.

Megawatts from Mountain Tops: Part 2 Capturing the Wind

info@mecep.org (Peter Mills) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Wind power is coming to Maine and with the current energy crisis this could be a very good thing. In this two part series we look at how Maine's policies on electric power, taxation and economic development presently intersect and how those policies must change to benefit from wind. In Part 2, we make specific recommendations to insure Maine will benefit economically from wind power and avoid profits and benefits flowing just to companies and other states.

Maine Revenue & Spending Primer 2008

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Welcome to our 2008 Maine Revenue & Spending Primer. The primer is a roadmap to state, municipal and county government revenues and expenses in a simple, graphic format. For the past five years, our primer has been a valuable, credible, easy-to-use resource for legislators, government officials, business leaders, advocacy groups and concerned citizens and taxpayers. Its purpose is to provide a common vocabulary and data for tax and budget discussions.

Maine is Burning

info@mecep.org (Dr. Erik Steele) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Containing healthcare costs is critical to Maine's future economy. In this issue of Choices we provide an edited version of an October 2008 speech given by Dr. Erik Steele, Chief Medical Officer at Eastern Maine Health Systems, to a forum sponsored by Maine Health Management Coalition and Anthem, Maine. Dr. Steele provides seven recommendations to help bring down rising healthcare costs.

State Operating Funds

info@mecep.org — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Charts:

Maximizing Maine's Educational Investments, Optimizing Results

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise and Alexis Mann) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Uniform data collection and benchmarking" describes a process and a plan to ensure that Maine's investments in K-12, post-secondary education and workforce training are properly aligned and produce meaningful and measurable results. In this issue of Choices we examine how Maine stands to benefit from such a system, which obstacles Maine has yet to overcome, and the most important preliminary steps that must be taken.

Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in Maine

info@mecep.org (Stephen Ward) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The multi-state regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI) is a road test for a workable cap and trade system for the rest of the country. Last year, Maine began to benefit from revenue generated from RGGI targeted for improvements in energy efficiency, energy infrastructure and lower electric bills. The state still needs to make some improvements to RGGI and this paper recommends a few options.

The Growing Latin American Influence

info@mecep.org (Maine Center for Economic Policy) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Nearly 16,000 Hispanics live in Maine. From 2000 to 2007, Maine's Hispanic population grew by 67% compared to 3.3% growth for the total population. This report documents the contributions of Maine's growing Latino population focusing on first and second generation Latinos. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, we follow the demographic trends, economic contributions and varied experiences associated with the state's growing Hispanic population.

Securing our Future During an Economic Downturn

info@mecep.org (Nicholas Johnson, Garrett Martin and Kurt Wise) — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Maine's current budget shortfall requires legislators to meet the challenge without exacerbating the effects of the national and global economic crisis. Maine is one of many states in the same predicament. In this Choices we explore options lawmakers have to both increase revenue and cut costs.

Now is the Time for Tax Reform. Can LD 1088 Deliver?

info@mecep.org (Kurt Wise) — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It is possible and desirable to restructure Maine's tax system to achieve greater reliability and fairness. In this issue we make the case for reforming Maine's current tax structure and lay out our guiding principles for tax reform.

Weakening the Estate Tax: Putting our Future Prosperity at Risk

info@mecep.org (Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D.) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In 2001, Congress passed legislation that would lead to the phasing out of the estate tax. This tax affects only a very few wealthy Americans but full repeal would add more than $800 billion to our federal deficit by 2021. President Obama has proposed compromises to extend current levels into the future. This Choices explores the options.