Sarah Austin

Sarah is MECEP’s policy lead on tax and budget issues. She conducts research and impact analyses, writes educational materials, and collaborates with partners. Sarah is skilled in data collection, research, and statistical and policy analysis. Sarah holds a master’s of public affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s of science in environmental policy from Maine’s Unity College.

Taxes and Budget

REPORT: Solving Maine’s Pandemic Revenue Crisis

States that responded to the Great Recession by maintaining or increasing state jobs and spending outperformed states, such as Maine, that responded with layoffs and spending cuts. […]

Sarah Austin

Posted September 28, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Revenue, Taxes

Taxes and Budget

Forecasted 3-year, $1.4 billion revenue shortfall reinforces need federal, state action to protect critical jobs and services

New revenue projections released by state officials on Wednesday reiterate that Maine faces jaw-dropping revenue shortfalls that demand a strong federal response and a willingness by state […]

Sarah Austin

Posted July 29, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus

Maine’s Economy

Policy Memo: Distribution of Coronavirus Relief Funds in Maine

The following is a reproduction of a memo produced by MECEP policy analysts Sarah Austin and James Myall for the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee. To see the […]

Sarah Austin

Posted July 1, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Recession

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Maine can’t afford for Congress to miss the mark on COVID-19 emergency funding

A bipartisan consensus is building for Congress to pass additional emergency funds for states to help fight the pandemic, maintain health care for low-income families and seniors, […]

Sarah Austin

Posted May 22, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Recession

Taxes and Budget

REPORT: Maine needs fiscal relief now to address revenue shortfall of at least $1.2 billion

Just two months after the pandemic’s first ripples were felt in the economy, forecasters say unprecedented state revenue shortfalls jeopardize state and local budgets. In Maine, revenue […]

Sarah Austin

Posted May 5, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Federal, Revenue

Maine’s Economy

New unemployment claims remain nearly eight times higher than pre-pandemic averages

At least 15.6 percent of the state’s workforce has lost their jobs since March 15, as Mainers take the necessary steps to limit transmission of the coronavirus […]

Sarah Austin

Posted April 30, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

As jobless rate hits nearly 18 percent, Unemployment Insurance is a critical tool to limit coronavirus transmission

At least 14.5 percent of the state’s workforce has lost their jobs since March 15, as Mainers take the necessary steps to limit transmission of the coronavirus […]

Sarah Austin

Posted April 23, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Coronavirus relief for frontline workers has big implications for gender and race equity

As many sectors of the economy come to a halt, workers in essential service industries are still clocking in to ensure people are able to meet basic […]

Sarah Austin

Posted April 14, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Inequality

Maine’s Economy

REPORT: Economic downturn from Coronavirus will dwarf Great Recession, demands bold policy response

UPDATE (April 30, 2020): As confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise and the coronavirus pandemic continues to rock the economy, several of the indicators in this report have […]

Sarah Austin

Posted April 1, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Economy, Federal, Recession, Revenue

Taxes and Budget

Maine’s new supplemental budget focuses on coronavirus response

The Maine Legislature on Tuesday enacted a supplemental budget, appropriating an additional $73 million to fund key priorities before the biennial budget expires on July 1, 2021. […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 18, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus

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PO Box 437
Augusta, Maine 04332
207-622-7381 | info@mecep.org

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Sarah Austin

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REPORT: Solving Maine’s Pandemic Revenue Crisis

Forecasted 3-year, $1.4 billion revenue shortfall reinforces need federal, state action to protect critical jobs and services

Policy Memo: Distribution of Coronavirus Relief Funds in Maine

Maine can’t afford for Congress to miss the mark on COVID-19 emergency funding

REPORT: Maine needs fiscal relief now to address revenue shortfall of at least $1.2 billion

New unemployment claims remain nearly eight times higher than pre-pandemic averages

As jobless rate hits nearly 18 percent, Unemployment Insurance is a critical tool to limit coronavirus transmission

Coronavirus relief for frontline workers has big implications for gender and race equity

REPORT: Economic downturn from Coronavirus will dwarf Great Recession, demands bold policy response

Maine’s new supplemental budget focuses on coronavirus response