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State of Working Maine 2025: Strengthening Economic Opportunity in Rural Communities and Beyond

Economic opportunity in Maine is not an inevitable result of rural geography, but a consequence of state and federal policy choices that have boosted growth in the Portland metro area while leaving much of the state behind.

Maine's economy

Immigration operations cost Maine’s economy millions

Increased activity by ICE during “Operation Catch of the Day” likely reduced economic activity in parts of Maine, with an estimated $3.4 million drop in retail sales and thousands of workers and students absent due to fear and disruption

Maine's Economy

Sovereignty Starts Here: Land, Economy, and Tribal Rights in Maine

Maine has profited from centuries of Wabanaki land loss. Supporting land return and sovereignty reforms is both a moral responsibility and a smart economic investment.

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.

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State of Working Maine 2025: Strengthening Economic Opportunity in Rural Communities and Beyond

Immigration operations cost Maine’s economy millions

Sovereignty Starts Here: Land, Economy, and Tribal Rights in Maine

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.

7 things to know about the political attacks on MaineCare

Thousands of Mainers lose food assistance in wake of One Big Beautiful Bill changes

2026 Session Recap: Health care and the safety net

2026 Session Recap: Immigration and tribal sovereignty

Thousands of Mainers lose food assistance in wake of One Big Beautiful Bill changes

2026 Session Recap: Tax policy

What’s in the 2026 supplemental budget package

IRS data shows Maine is gaining residents from so-called “low tax” states

2026 Session Recap: Workers and the care economy

6 ways President Trump is shaping Maine’s economy in his first year

In the words of workers: Jesse

In the words of workers: Jane and Chelsea

7 things to know about the political attacks on MaineCare

2026 Session Recap: Health care and the safety net

Hospital pricing bill could save Mainers $200 million over 5 years

In the words of workers: Jesse

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

2026 Session Recap: Health care and the safety net

2026 Session Recap: Immigration and tribal sovereignty

IRS data shows Maine is gaining residents from so-called “low tax” states

Hospital pricing bill could save Mainers $200 million over 5 years

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Wednesday Sit-Down: Healthcare shrinkflation

Maine paid family leave starts Friday. Who needs it most?

Wednesday Sit-Down: Maine's new paid family and medical leave applications now open

High health insurance costs are driving Mainers to unregulated alternatives

Wednesday Sit-Down: The state of Maine's economy