Health Care

What will happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act?

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in California v Texas, a lawsuit backed by 18 state attorneys general and the Trump administration, which asks […]

James Myall

Posted November 18, 2020

Tags Affordable Care Act, Federal, Health Care, Medicaid, Prescription Drugs

Maine’s Economy

Maine’s unequal pandemic recession and recovery

Maine’s economy is making a slow but steady recovery from the depths of the downturn spurred by the arrival of the coronavirus and COVID-19. But like the […]

James Myall

Posted October 20, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Jobs, Racial Equity

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

New Census data highlights cracks in the economy – even before COVID

New data released Thursday by the US Census Bureau show that many Mainers were already experiencing hardship before the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed the tenuous nature of the economic gains the state enjoyed in […]

James Myall

Posted September 18, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Health Care, Poverty, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Despite modest recovery, pandemic hardship lingers for tens of thousands of Mainers

Tens of thousands of Maine households are still struggling to afford basic needs such as groceries and rent, according to the latest data from the US Census […]

James Myall

Posted September 16, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Incomes, Unemployment

Maine’s Economy

Trump’s executive actions don’t let Senate Republicans off the hook

The recent executive actions by President Donald Trump offer only a false sense of relief to the tens of thousands of Mainers who have seen their incomes […]

James Myall

Posted August 11, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Data reveals return to work not affected by $600 unemployment boost

There’s no relationship between expanded Unemployment Compensation payments and individuals’ likelihood of returning to work, according to two recent studies. One, by researchers at Yale University, finds that more generous UC payments are not […]

James Myall

Posted July 31, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment

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

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

86,000 Mainers face steep income losses if Congress doesn’t extend pandemic unemployment benefits

The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetimes. The urgent public health requirement that Mainers stay home as much as possible has […]

James Myall

Posted July 16, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Incomes, Unemployment

Blog

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What will happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act?

Maine’s unequal pandemic recession and recovery

New federal rules give shady lenders green light to scam Mainers

New Census data highlights cracks in the economy – even before COVID

Despite modest recovery, pandemic hardship lingers for tens of thousands of Mainers

Trump’s executive actions don’t let Senate Republicans off the hook

Data reveals return to work not affected by $600 unemployment boost

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

Consumer Finance Watchdog Agency Delivers a Gut Punch to Maine Consumers

86,000 Mainers face steep income losses if Congress doesn’t extend pandemic unemployment benefits