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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.

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Maine Morning Star

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.

Reporting Work Requirements: Bad at encouraging work, good at making people sick and hungry

Maine’s economy could lose more than $400 million in federal funds each year under the House reconciliation bill

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

Tariffs — An Explainer

Reporting Work Requirements: Bad at encouraging work, good at making people sick and hungry

Maine’s economy could lose more than $400 million in federal funds each year under the House reconciliation bill

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

Tariffs — An Explainer

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

Maine must invest in child care, not cut it

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?

Proposed Medicaid cuts put Maine families’ incomes at risk

Congressional Republican plan threatens health insurance affordability for Mainers

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

Reporting Work Requirements: Bad at encouraging work, good at making people sick and hungry

Tariffs — An Explainer

Proposed Medicaid cuts put Maine families’ incomes at risk

Canadian boycott could hurt Maine’s tourism economy

Stay up to date

Amid rising costs, lawmaker wants to restart conversation about universal health care

Maine childcare system needs improvements to help parents, workers, panel says

Advocates urge state to shore up Maine’s child care system

Pressure is on to extend ACA subsidies as premium hikes loom

As Maine diversifies, so does its health care workforce