Maine’s Economy Last week's expanded eligibility spurs largest UI claims spike since pandemic began Roughly 16,100 Mainers filed new unemployment claims in the week ending May 2, according to the Maine Department of Labor, representing the largest week-over-week increase in since […] James Myall Posted May 7, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy Maine’s racial disparities laid bare by COVID-19 COVID-19 does not discriminate. Anyone exposed to the coronavirus can get sick, regardless of their race, ZIP code, or family income. Nevertheless, new data from the Maine […] James Myall Posted May 6, 2020 Tags Coronavirus
Maine’s Economy Small businesses need targeted relief that Payroll Protection Program does not yet provide On Thursday, Congress enacted a new round of funding for the Payroll Protection Program, or PPP, which provides loans to help businesses cover payroll and other expenses […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal
Jobs and Income Mainers eligible for $1.3 billion in stimulus payments, but many risk losing out The CARES Act — a $2.2 trillion relief package enacted by Congress to address the fallout from coronavirus — includes a provision for one-time payments to most […] James Myall Posted April 15, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal
Maine’s Economy Evictions and foreclosures increase coronavirus risks. A rent and mortgage freeze will protect us. The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States has triggered an unprecedented economic downturn. Businesses are closing, workers are losing their jobs, and families face […] James Myall Posted April 7, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Housing
Maine’s Economy Federal action means help for out-of-work Mainers as unemployment claims continue to break records On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act into law. The $1.8 trillion package contains a number of provisions […] James Myall Posted April 2, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy REPORT: Policy priorities for the federal response to COVID-19's economic fallout As the coronavirus pushes the nation into a recession, the response by federal policymakers will determine the extent of the economic harm on families and small businesses. […] James Myall Posted March 26, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Recession
Maine’s Economy Federal coronavirus relief law provides free testing, paid leave, and additional food assistance President Trump signed into law Thursday an emergency relief bill to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures […] James Myall Posted March 19, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal
Jobs and Income Maine’s omnibus coronavirus response law will help workers, small businesses facing income loss On Tuesday, the Maine Legislature approved an omnibus package of measures aimed at responding to the health and economic impacts of coronavirus. Governor Janet Mills signed the bill into law on Wednesday. The […] James Myall Posted March 19, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Unemployment
Health Care ‘Patients First’ legislation would reduce some health care costs for Mainers Maine Democrats recently introduced a package of bills to reduce health care costs, curb some of the health care industry’s most egregious billing practices and ensure access to critical lifesaving medicine. The suite of bills known as the “Patients […] James Myall Posted March 11, 2020 Tags Health Care
