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

After more than a decade of cuts, it’s time to invest in Maine’s communities

Strong communities are the backbone of a good quality of life. Local services like parks, libraries, fire departments, safe roads, and clean water are integral to creating high-quality places where Maine families […]

Sarah Austin

Posted February 19, 2021

Tags Budget, Revenue, Taxes

Taxes and Budget

Maine doesn’t need a new special interest sales tax loophole

The Maine Legislature is considering a bill, LD 140, that would allow businesses that sell prepared food and beverages to keep one penny of the eight–cent sales tax on prepared foods. The bill would create […]

Sarah Austin

Posted February 9, 2021

Tags Budget, Tax Breaks, Taxes

Taxes and Budget

Lawmakers should reject scheme to turn PPP into double tax cuts for profitable businesses

Maine’s top priority for a robust, fair COVID recovery must be to provide relief to struggling families and make investments in schools, communities, infrastructure, and services that will […]

Sarah Austin

Posted January 27, 2021

Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Federal, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Taxes

Taxes and Budget

Tax Policy Options: Maine needs progressive revenue solutions to build a stronger, fairer future

Download the PDF version Download The incoming Legislature has the opportunity to address longstanding problems in the state’s tax code that have made life harder for Maine […]

Sarah Austin

Posted January 27, 2021

Tags Budget, Estate Tax, Income Tax, Revenue, Sales Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes

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

One Weston Court, Suite 103
PO Box 437
Augusta, Maine 04332
207-622-7381 | info@mecep.org

Partners

Sarah Austin

Filter by Category

Filter by Resource Type

Filter by Author

Filter by Tags

Filter by Feature Research

After more than a decade of cuts, it’s time to invest in Maine’s communities

Maine doesn’t need a new special interest sales tax loophole

Lawmakers should reject scheme to turn PPP into double tax cuts for profitable businesses

Tax Policy Options: Maine needs progressive revenue solutions to build a stronger, fairer future

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