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REPORT: State of Working Maine 2021

The experiences of frontline workers during the pandemic offer lessons beyond the immediate public health threat. In this new report, MECEP economic policy analyst James Myall examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on working Mainers and examines the effectiveness of policymakers’ responses.

Tax and Budget

Earned Income Tax Credit

Mainers receive income boosting credits that help workers, families, and retirees make ends meet — simply by filing income taxes every year. The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of these supports. Learn more about what it is, why it matters, and how to get it.

Taxes and Budget

A Better Path for Maine: The Case for Decriminalizing Drugs

In partnership with ACLU of Maine, our new report details the enormous social and economic costs of criminalizing people who use drugs. The central recommendation: Maine must decriminalize drugs while investing in proven and cost-effective public health approaches to drug use.

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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REPORT: State of Working Maine 2021

Earned Income Tax Credit

A Better Path for Maine: The Case for Decriminalizing Drugs

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.

Feeling the Pinch: Inflation and corporate consolidation

Federal Reserve data shows improved financial wellbeing, particularly among parents, in 2021

Once again, Legislature extends broken tax break for businesses

130th Legislature makes health care more affordable for Mainers

Federal Reserve data shows improved financial wellbeing, particularly among parents, in 2021

Once again, Legislature extends broken tax break for businesses

How Maine is spending federal rescue plan funds

Earned Income Tax Credit expansion provides greater economic security for working families

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

Surveys show strong support and widespread need for paid family and medical leave

Rising inflation is likely temporary — and the Build Back Better bill will help curb it

New research finds Biden agenda would strengthen long-term economic growth, ease inflation

130th Legislature makes health care more affordable for Mainers

GRAPHIC SERIES: Health insurance costs will soar for 66,000 Mainers if Congress doesn’t act

Health insurance costs will soar for 66,000 Mainers if Congress doesn’t act

Overturning Roe undermines Americans’ economic security

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

Feeling the Pinch: Inflation and corporate consolidation

Federal Reserve data shows improved financial wellbeing, particularly among parents, in 2021

Overturning Roe undermines Americans’ economic security

Equal footing for Maine tribes

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Portland voters may be asked to again consider increasing the minimum wage

Before his death at a local jail, Billy Tucker had big dreams

LePage wrongly blames Medicaid expansion for Maine’s worker shortage

Maine Lawmakers Are Putting $$$ In Workers' Pockets

Opinion: Expanded Good Samaritan law is simple and will save lives