Taxes and Budget

New budget projections highlight the need to get serious about raising revenue

At a glance: Projected budget shortfalls are nothing new Ultimately lawmakers must work with the governor to pass a balanced budget To avoid cutting popular programs and […]

James Myall

Posted October 7, 2024

Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Education, Health Care, K-12 Education, Medicaid, Revenue

Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy

Census data shows most Mainers ahead compared to pre-pandemic — but poorest still struggling

At a glance: Between 2019 and 2023, Maine’s median household income rose 5% to nearly $74,000, while the bottom 20% saw a 1% drop to just over […]

James Myall

Posted September 17, 2024

Tags Economic Security, Health Care, Incomes, Minimum Wage, Poverty, Wages

Taxes and Budget

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiration is a chance for Tax Fairness to flourish

At a glance: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 expires in 2025, offering Congress a chance to reshape tax policy and reverse regressive measures […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted September 13, 2024

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

Jobs and Income

Maine’s minimum wage to increase to $14.65 next year, boosting wages for 96,000 workers

New data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Maine’s minimum wage will increase by 50 cents per hour in 2025 to keep pace with increased […]

James Myall

Posted September 11, 2024

Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Wages

Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 

Both Vice President Harris and former President Trump have recently endorsed the idea of exempting tipped income from federal income taxes. The effort also has a vehicle […]

James Myall

Posted August 30, 2024

Tags Income Tax, Incomes, Job Quality, Jobs, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes, Wages

Jobs and Income

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Print Who are Maine’s farmworkers? The people who milk our cows, rake our blueberries, harvest our potatoes, and do the hard work to power Maine’s agricultural sector […]

Arthur Phillips

Posted August 29, 2024

Tags Explainer, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Poverty, Racial Equity, Unions, Wages

Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

What is Guaranteed Income? Guaranteed Income is a method of providing regular, unrestricted cash payments to supplement individuals’ income. It is one of several no-strings-attached cash strategies […]

Karin Leuthy

Posted August 15, 2024

Tags Children, Food Insecurity, Guaranteed Income, Incomes, Poverty

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

A new report from the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) confirms undocumented immigrants contribute to the strength of our economy and the health of public […]

James Myall

Posted July 31, 2024

Tags Federal, Immigration, Revenue, Taxes

Maine’s Economy

5 reasons to be optimistic about Maine’s economy

At a glance: Despite consensus that the economy is in bad shape, Americans are broadly optimistic about their own financial circumstances Economic data mirrors this sentiment: unemployment […]

James Myall

Posted July 30, 2024

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages

Taxes and Budget

Direct File advances tax fairness – Maine should opt in

For years, advocates have called for a free tax filing system to allow Americans to directly file their taxes with the IRS. But the powerful lobby of […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted July 10, 2024

Tags Tax Fairness, Taxes

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New budget projections highlight the need to get serious about raising revenue

Census data shows most Mainers ahead compared to pre-pandemic — but poorest still struggling

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiration is a chance for Tax Fairness to flourish

Maine’s minimum wage to increase to $14.65 next year, boosting wages for 96,000 workers

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

5 reasons to be optimistic about Maine’s economy

Direct File advances tax fairness – Maine should opt in

Blog

Here’s the latest research, analysis, and commentary from MECEP’s policy experts.

Filter by Category

Filter by Resource Type

Filter by Author

Filter by Tags

Filter by Feature Research

New budget projections highlight the need to get serious about raising revenue

Census data shows most Mainers ahead compared to pre-pandemic — but poorest still struggling

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiration is a chance for Tax Fairness to flourish

Maine’s minimum wage to increase to $14.65 next year, boosting wages for 96,000 workers

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

5 reasons to be optimistic about Maine’s economy

Direct File advances tax fairness – Maine should opt in

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 