Education

COVID compounds Maine’s education debt crisis. The time to act is now.

MECEP economic policy analyst James Myall contributed to this blog post. There was a student loan crisis before the pandemic, now it is even worse. Despite gains in recent […]

Jody Harris

Posted April 9, 2021

Tags Coronavirus, Education, Higher Education, Student Debt

Education

One easy way for Maine to increase grants for college students with low incomes this year

Thanks to federal forbearance on student loan payments during the pandemic, Maine has an opportunity to make college more affordable this year for students with low incomes by […]

Jody Harris

Posted March 17, 2021

Tags Education, Federal, Higher Education, Student Debt

Maine’s Economy

Maine must continue its clampdown on predatory lenders

Lawmakers in Augusta have done good work in recent years to begin curbing predatory payday lenders from saddling Mainers with crushing, unfair debt. Now, they have an […]

Jody Harris

Posted March 16, 2021

Tags Consumer Protection, Economic Security

Jobs and Income

New federal rules give shady lenders green light to scam Mainers

Payday lenders are exploiting loopholes to evade Maine’s consumer protection laws. Their shadowy practices are leaving Mainers in the lurch. Now, the Trump administration is floating a rule change that would let predatory corporations fleece […]

Jody Harris

Posted October 2, 2020

Tags Consumer Protection, Federal

Maine’s Economy

Consumer Finance Watchdog Agency Delivers a Gut Punch to Maine Consumers

Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released new regulations on payday lenders. Instead of reigning in the notoriously greedy industry, the Bureau eliminated common sense […]

Jody Harris

Posted July 17, 2020

Tags Consumer Protection, Federal

Maine’s Economy

Facing income crunch from coronavirus, debt-burdened Americans need relief now

As tens of thousands of Mainers face lays offs and unemployment, two things will happen: With no earnings coming in, they will default on their loans and […]

Jody Harris

Posted April 7, 2020

Tags Consumer Protection, Coronavirus, Student Debt

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Policy Basic: Bonds are a vital tool for investing in the public good

A strong and thriving economy depends on long-term investments in roads and bridges, clean water and schools, and other public goods that benefit people and businesses now and in the […]

Jody Harris

Posted February 21, 2020

Tags Bonds, Infrastructure

Maine’s Economy

Trump's weak debt collector rules would leave Mainers vulnerable to harassment and scams

Robo-calls from unrecognized or blocked numbers, calling for payments that we don’t owe. Collection agencies calling multiple times per day, failing to identify themselves, lying about what’s […]

Jody Harris

Posted July 24, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Federal

Education

Student debt collection reform, for-profit college rules top wins for Maine consumers this year

While President Donald Trump’s administration continues its efforts to systemically roll back consumer protections, Maine has made moves to protect residents and ward off financial predators. Maine’s […]

Jody Harris

Posted July 17, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Education, Higher Education, Student Debt

Jobs and Income

Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders

Under its new director, the agency charged with protecting Americans from financial deception is instead planning to serve them up to some of Wall Street’s worst actors. […]

Bangor Daily News

Posted May 16, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection

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COVID compounds Maine’s education debt crisis. The time to act is now.

One easy way for Maine to increase grants for college students with low incomes this year

Maine must continue its clampdown on predatory lenders

New federal rules give shady lenders green light to scam Mainers

Consumer Finance Watchdog Agency Delivers a Gut Punch to Maine Consumers

Facing income crunch from coronavirus, debt-burdened Americans need relief now

Policy Basic: Bonds are a vital tool for investing in the public good

Trump's weak debt collector rules would leave Mainers vulnerable to harassment and scams

Student debt collection reform, for-profit college rules top wins for Maine consumers this year

Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders