Maine’s Economy The Debt Ceiling — An Explainer Updated June 1, 2023 The Treasury predicts that the US will be unable to pay its bills by June 5 if the debt ceiling is not raised. […] MECEP Posted June 1, 2023 Tags Debt Ceiling, Economy, Explainer, Tax Fairness
Explainers, 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, Explainer, 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
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Paid Family and Medical Leave — An Explainer Updated May 30, 2023 What is Paid Family and Medical Leave? At some point in their life, almost every Mainer will need to take extended time away […] MECEP Posted May 19, 2023 Tags Economy, Employment, Family and Medical Leave
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget The Child Tax Credit — An Explainer What is the Child Tax Credit? The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is one of the most effective tools for helping families manage the rising cost of raising […] MECEP Posted May 2, 2023 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Economy, 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, Explainer, Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Predatory Lending — An Explainer What is predatory lending? Lenders are considered predatory when they use practices that involve fraudulent, unfair, and abusive loan terms, including ultra-high interest rates and fees, aggressive […] MECEP Posted March 24, 2023 Tags Consumer Protection, Economic Security, Explainer, Inclusive Economy, Predatory Lending
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget MECEP reaction to State of the Budget address Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) president and CEO Garrett Martin reacts to Governor Mills’ State of the Budget address: “State budget choices can change lives. Maine […] Posted February 15, 2023 Tags Budget, Corporate Power, Economic Security, Economy, Family and Medical Leave, Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Congress must expand the Child Tax Credit, or risk 49,000 Maine children being pushed into poverty or greater hardship Congress has a real chance in the Lame Duck session to prevent greater hardship for the 49,000 Maine children who lost out after a recent expansion of […] Posted November 16, 2022 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Poverty