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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.

Maine's Economy

Legislative Priorities 2023

MECEP’s legislative priorities in 2023 aim to advance economic justice and opportunity, including racial equity. We want to bring fairness and accountability to the corporate tax code, ensure Mainers have access to affordable child care and paid family leave, and build a budget that helps families who need it most.

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 low- and moderate-income Mainers.

MECEP provides citizens, policymakers, advocates, and media with credible and rigorous economic analysis that advances economic justice and prosperity for all Maine people.

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The Inflation Reduction Act makes our tax code fairer, tackles the climate crisis, and makes health care more affordable for Mainers

James Myall Health Care

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The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

Legislative Priorities 2023

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 low- and moderate-income Mainers.

Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer

Legislators can build on Governor’s change package to boost economic vitality for Maine families

10 unanswered questions about the proposed Dirigo business subsidy

Child care legislation to benefit Maine workers and families

Legislators can build on Governor’s change package to boost economic vitality for Maine families

10 unanswered questions about the proposed Dirigo business subsidy

The Child Tax Credit — An Explainer

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer

Child care legislation to benefit Maine workers and families

Legislature’s Labor Committee votes for $15 minimum wage in 2024

Pay transparency promotes equality and empowers workers

The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

MaineCare Expansion at 4: Greater Care, Healthier Hospitals, Stronger Economy

The Inflation Reduction Act makes our tax code fairer, tackles the climate crisis, and makes health care more affordable for Mainers

130th Legislature makes health care more affordable for Mainers

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

Protections for private student loan borrowers protect seniors and people with disabilities

Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer

Child care legislation to benefit Maine workers and families

The Child Tax Credit — An Explainer

The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

Stay up to date

Maine budget surpluses rekindle GOP calls for income tax cuts

Report: Maine’s direct care system is facing a crisis due to poor pay and low staffing

Low pay for direct care workers is costing Maine millions, according to report

Maine could finally expand overtime pay for thousands of workers

‘We’re responsible for the history we make:’ Lawmakers push for migrant labor rights