Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Maine’s opportunity to lead on clean energy and good jobs At a glance The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentivized high-road jobs standards in renewable energy construction by linking federal tax credits to fair wages and registered apprenticeship […] Arthur Phillips Posted November 7, 2025 Tags Federal, Infrastructure, Job Quality, Jobs
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget How many SNAP recipients live in each Maine state legislative district With the federal government only promising to fund half the monthly benefits for 170,000 Mainers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), state lawmakers have an obligation to reconvene […] James Myall Posted November 4, 2025 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Federal, Food Insecurity, SNAP
Health Care, Taxes and Budget How the Congressional health care fight impacts Mainers Overview The shutdown stems from a dispute over federal health care funding, particularly the extension of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs) for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, […] James Myall Posted October 29, 2025 Tags Affordable Care Act, Budget, Federal, Health Care
Maine’s Economy Trump administration threatens food assistance for 170,000 Mainers The Trump Administration is trying to break the stalemate in the ongoing federal shutdown over health care by threatening to cut assistance that helps 40 million Americans […] James Myall Posted October 28, 2025 Tags Federal, Food Insecurity, SNAP, Trump Tax Cuts
Taxes and Budget Missed opportunities to advance tax fairness and create a better state The State doesn’t have adequate funding for health care, housing, and many other pressing needs. The fairest way to fix this is by asking the wealthiest people […] Maura Pillsbury Posted October 16, 2025 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Housing, Medicaid, SNAP, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget 7 questions legislators need to ask about the impact of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on the state budget On Friday October 17, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will hold joint meetings with the Taxation and Health and Human Services Committees to hear from […] James Myall Posted October 15, 2025 Tags Budget, Trump Tax Cuts
Taxes and Budget Maine’s revenue misses keep holding back progress Maine’s unexpected $152 million budget surplus signifies a pattern of overly cautious revenue forecasts that led to unnecessary cuts and regressive taxes, underscoring the need for more […] James Myall Posted October 15, 2025 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy The impact of a $19 minimum wage on Portland workers and the local economy Portlanders will have the opportunity to vote to gradually raise the city’s minimum wage to $19 per hour by 2028, after the City Council voted to include […] James Myall Posted September 25, 2025 Tags Economy, Employment, Gender, Inclusive Economy, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Seniors, Wages
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Maine minimum wage hits $15.10 in January, boosting pay for 100,000 workers As prices of everyday essentials like food, housing, and health care climb, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the minimum wage is one of our state’s most […] Arthur Phillips Posted September 15, 2025 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Farmworkers, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Wages
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget LD 1932: Maine direct care bill could raise pay, improve services LD 1932, a direct care bill sponsored by Speaker Ryan Fecteau and carried over from the first legislative session, gives Maine a big chance to keep caregivers, […] Arthur Phillips Posted August 20, 2025 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Revenue, Seniors, Wages
