Health Care

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.

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The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work
Jobs and income

MECEP Policy Insights Talk: Chris Smalls

At a FREE in-person event at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 20 at USM in Portland, we’ll hear from Amazon Labor Union president Chris Smalls about the importance of worker power, the experience of organizing Amazon, and what can be done at the state level to support labor organizers.

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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.

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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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All

Maine minimum wage will rise to $14.15 in 2024, boosting wages for 127,000 Mainers

James Myall All

Good Jobs First finds business subsidies contribute to racial and wealth inequality

Maura Pillsbury All

Brief: The state of labor organizing in Maine

MECEP All

Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions

James Myall
Taxes and Budget

Good Jobs First finds business subsidies contribute to racial and wealth inequality

Maura Pillsbury Taxes and Budget

Maine's budget provides historic supports and fortifies the foundation for a strong economy

Sarah Austin Taxes and Budget

Property tax freeze fix would benefit older Mainers who need it most

Maura Pillsbury Taxes and Budget

Proposed Dirigo business subsidy is a bad deal for Maine and could worsen inequality

Maura Pillsbury
Jobs and Income

Maine minimum wage will rise to $14.15 in 2024, boosting wages for 127,000 Mainers

James Myall Jobs and Income

Brief: The state of labor organizing in Maine

MECEP Jobs and Income

Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions

James Myall Jobs and Income

Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer

MECEP
Health Care

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

James Myall Health Care

The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work

MECEP Health Care

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

James Myall Health Care

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

James Myall
Education

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

Arthur Phillips Education

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

Arthur Phillips Education

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

MECEP Education

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

MECEP
Maine's Economy

Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer

MECEP Maine's Economy

The Debt Ceiling — An Explainer

MECEP Maine's Economy

About that tax ranking…

MECEP Maine's Economy

Brief: Providing workers the support they need to enter and stay in the labor force

MECEP
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