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State of Working Maine 2024: Gains and Gaps in a Strong Economy

A strong labor market defines the post-pandemic economy in Maine, and wage growth has generally been strong over the last five years. Despite this generally positive outlook, rising costs continue to undermine Mainers across income levels.

Taxes and Budget

Tariffs — An Explainer

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. When targeted and strategically planned, they can counter unfair trade practices, serve as negotiation leverage, and generate revenue. But not all tariffs are created equal. Broad, poorly planned tariffs can harm the economy, trigger trade wars, and disrupt global stability.

Taxes and Budget

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

Congress, where Republicans have a majority, is considering pairing spending cuts for food security, health, and other important programs with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy.

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.

All

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

James Myall All

Mainers deserve better: Corporate tax breaks win while care workers, students, reproductive health services, and families at risk of eviction get left behind

Maura Pillsbury All

Mainers deserve better: Corporate tax breaks win while care workers, students, reproductive health services, and families at risk of eviction get left behind

Maura Pillsbury Taxes and Budget

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

James Myall Taxes and Budget

Final part 2 budget rejects many cuts and makes investments — but lawmakers still have to address long term revenue needs

MECEP

Jobs and Income

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State of Working Maine 2024: Gains and Gaps in a Strong Economy

Tariffs — An Explainer

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

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.

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Mainers deserve better: Corporate tax breaks win while care workers, students, reproductive health services, and families at risk of eviction get left behind

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

Progress for farmworkers — but full justice still denied

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Mainers deserve better: Corporate tax breaks win while care workers, students, reproductive health services, and families at risk of eviction get left behind

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

Final part 2 budget rejects many cuts and makes investments — but lawmakers still have to address long term revenue needs

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers

Maine shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of direct care workers

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Federal budget plan puts Maine’s rural hospitals at grave risk, reports show

Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

I’m not on Medicaid — so why should I care about cuts to Medicaid?

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

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Progress for farmworkers — but full justice still denied

New federal bill threatens immigrants and Maine’s progress

Tariffs — An Explainer

Stay up to date

Wednesday Sit-Down: Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'

Trump's megabill will hurt his base — but he's making the states do the dirty work

What Maine could do to mitigate federal funding loss from GOP budget

Leaders condemn passage of budget bill they say will be ‘devastating’ for Maine

Sen. Collins explains her ‘no’ vote on Trump’s mega bill