Taxes and Budget

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

By Megan Michaud and James Myall Congress, where Republicans have a majority, is considering pairing spending cuts for food security, health, and other important programs with enormous […]

James Myall

Posted May 15, 2025

Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Medicaid, SNAP, Tax Fairness, Taxes, Trump Tax Cuts

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Tariffs — An Explainer

Updated May 15, 2025 What are tariffs? Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. When targeted and strategically planned, they can counter unfair trade practices, serve as negotiation […]

Karin Leuthy

Posted May 15, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Jobs, Taxes

Health Care, Jobs and Income

Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

Recently, Maine’s legislative Labor Committee heard testimony on more than a dozen bills on Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, most of which would […]

James Myall

Posted May 15, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Family and Medical Leave

Health Care, Taxes and Budget

I’m not on Medicaid — so why should I care about cuts to Medicaid?

Congress is currently considering major cuts to Medicaid and other programs. Changes to Medicaid, which provides health insurance for 1 in 5 Americans and 400,000 Mainers, would […]

Megan Michaud

Posted May 12, 2025

Tags Budget, Children, Health Care, Medicaid, Seniors, Taxes, Trump Tax Cuts

Taxes and Budget

Memo: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program

To aid the Joint Standing Housing and Economic Development Committee in its deliberations on LD 1522, “An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program,” Maine Center […]

James Myall

Posted May 6, 2025

Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Housing

Taxes and Budget

Calm before the storm: New revenue forecast shows little change, for now

At a glance: The state’s Revenue Forecasting Commission made only minor adjustments to future revenue estimates, resulting in a net increase of just over $1 million, while […]

James Myall

Posted May 2, 2025

Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Education, Medicaid, Revenue, SNAP, Trump Tax Cuts

Taxes and Budget

Feds threaten to blow a $649 million hole in Maine’s state budget

At a glance: Congress and President Trump are considering cutting federal funds to states, primarily to finance tax cuts for the wealthy, with Maine facing a potential […]

James Myall

Posted April 3, 2025

Tags Budget, Education, Federal, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes, Trump Tax Cuts

Taxes and Budget

Expanding the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit is an investment in Maine’s future

Maine’s Dependent Exemption Tax Credit (DETC) is a vital investment in the state’s future. As Maine’s version of the child tax credit, it helps families with children […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted April 1, 2025

Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, Economic Security

Jobs and Income

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers

At a glance: LD 599 would align Maine’s salary threshold for overtime pay with the federal standard of $58,656, ensuring an additional 21,000 salaried workers are eligible […]

James Myall

Posted March 28, 2025

Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Overtime, Wages

Taxes and Budget

New “continuing services budget” provides stable foundation for future planning

Last Friday the appropriations committee approved an $11.5 billion “continuing services” budget to continue state operations at a more-or-less flat level for the next two years. While […]

James Myall

Posted March 20, 2025

Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Economic Security, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Medicaid, Wages

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Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

Tariffs — An Explainer

Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

I’m not on Medicaid — so why should I care about cuts to Medicaid?

Memo: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program

Calm before the storm: New revenue forecast shows little change, for now

Feds threaten to blow a $649 million hole in Maine’s state budget

Expanding the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit is an investment in Maine’s future

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers

New “continuing services budget” provides stable foundation for future planning