Jobs and Income MECEP Statement on veto of bill to advance farmworker rights Maine Center for Economic Policy is disappointed at Governor Janet Mills’ decision to veto LD 398, “An Act to Make Agricultural Workers and Other Related Workers Employees […] Posted July 19, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Unions
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer Updated July 11, 2023 The Maine legislature voted to incorporate paid family and medical leave legislation into the budget, which Governor Mills signed and enacted. Maine is […] MECEP Posted July 11, 2023 Tags Economy, Employment, Explainer, Family and Medical Leave
Maine’s Economy The Debt Ceiling — An Explainer Updated August 2, 2023 The White House negotiated a deal with Republicans in June to raise the debt ceiling and curb spending, averting default. Information on this […] MECEP Posted June 5, 2023 Tags Debt Ceiling, Economy, Explainer, Tax Fairness
Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on senior property tax freeze program fix Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) State/Local Tax Policy Analyst Maura Pillsbury reacts to the overhaul of the senior property tax freeze program: “We applaud the work […] Posted June 2, 2023 Tags Property Tax, Seniors, Tax Fairness
Maine’s Economy MECEP statement on debt ceiling agreement Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) President and CEO Garrett Martin reacts to the debt ceiling agreement: “While we’re relieved the nation isn’t headed for a catastrophic […] Posted June 2, 2023 Tags Debt Ceiling, Economy
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget About that tax ranking… As lawmakers debate tax credits, cuts, and subsidies, we often hear Maine’s tax policy compared with other states. State-by-state rankings and “listicles” are memorable and get a […] MECEP Posted May 30, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, EITC, Income Tax, Inequality, Property Tax, Racial Equity, Sales Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Tax Havens, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Brief: Providing workers the support they need to enter and stay in the labor force At a glance Maine has more jobs now than before the pandemic Labor force participation has mostly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels but is not adequate to keep […] MECEP Posted May 26, 2023 Tags Child Care, Child Tax Credit, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Family and Medical Leave, Inclusive Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Sick Days
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget The Child Tax Credit — An Explainer Updated July 11, 2023 What is the Child Tax Credit? The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is one of the most effective tools to help families manage the […] MECEP Posted May 2, 2023 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Explainer, Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work Download the PDF version full report Summary Maine’s direct care workforce is in a fragile state. Low reimbursement rates for direct care work result in low pay, […] MECEP Posted April 26, 2023
Taxes and Budget Taxes are complicated, but the way we think about tax policy doesn’t have to be When we all pitch in to pay for the services and infrastructure that build a thriving economy, everyone benefits. But if some people and corporations don’t pay […] MECEP Posted April 14, 2023 Tags Economy, Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes