Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Child care legislation to benefit Maine workers and families Recent years have taught us child care workers are truly essential. Without them, other workers are forced to leave work to care for young children, costing them […] Arthur Phillips Posted May 9, 2023 Tags Child Care, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Incomes, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income Farmworkers deserve the same rights as all workers Workers are the engine of the economy, and they all deserve dignity, respect, and to be able to take care of themselves and their loved ones. Yet, […] Arthur Phillips Posted May 2, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Racial Equity, Unions, Wages
Jobs and Income Rent-a-bank schemes would undercut Maine’s borrower protections Maine has a long tradition of consumer protection, drawing on a shared commitment to transparency and fairness for borrowers. Lawmakers recently extended Maine’s track record by shoring […] Arthur Phillips Posted April 10, 2023 Tags Consumer Protection, Economic Security, Predatory Lending, Racial Equity
Maine’s Economy Rising prices ease but more work remains to improve economic security for Mainers Price increases significantly moderated in the second half of 2022 For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the monthly US Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined […] Arthur Phillips Posted January 13, 2023 Tags Economy, Inflation
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Federal Reserve data shows improved financial wellbeing, particularly among parents, in 2021 The expanded Child Tax Credit, which put more money into parents’ pockets and dramatically reduced childhood poverty, expired at the end of last year Last month, the […] Arthur Phillips Posted June 14, 2022 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Federal, Food Insecurity
Education, Jobs and Income Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education Last week, President Biden stated he is considering cancelling some amount of student debt and expects to make a decision on the issue in the coming weeks.1 […] Arthur Phillips Posted May 10, 2022 Tags Education, Employment, Housing, Incomes, Inequality, Jobs, Racial Equity, Seniors, Student Debt
Education To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding College education is a critical tool for Mainers to boost their income and for a stronger economy. We should be seeking opportunities to support students, especially individuals from households with […] Arthur Phillips Posted February 15, 2022 Tags Consumer Protection, Economic Security, Education, Higher Education
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget New research finds Biden agenda would strengthen long-term economic growth, ease inflation On Thursday, Moody’s Analytics released an assessment of the projected macroeconomic impact of both the federal infrastructure and Build Back Better reconciliation bills. The analysis found the […] Arthur Phillips Posted November 4, 2021 Tags Economy, Federal
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Jobs report highlights continued barriers to Mainers returning to work Today, the Maine Department of Labor released data showing a modest decline in jobs, further evidence that the September 4 expiration of supplemental unemployment support for tens […] Arthur Phillips Posted October 22, 2021 Tags Economy, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs, Unemployment, Wages
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Build Back Better promises to transform child care The Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fundamentally change the lives of working people, families, and children in Maine. Among other pillars, the plan […] Arthur Phillips Posted September 29, 2021 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Children, Jobs, Wages