Taxes and Budget

Why Maine lawmakers should reject the Local Option Sales Tax

Communities in every corner of the state have suffered from underfunding of education and local services. The symptoms of cuts to communities are greater pressure on town […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 27, 2019

Tags Local, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Education, Maine’s Economy

Maine borrowers need a Student Loan Bill of Rights as protection from predatory loan companies

We all have heard the numbers about escalating student loan debt across the country. Maine is no exception. Residents of our state carry more than $6 billion […]

Jody Harris

Posted March 26, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

Taxes and Budget

Governor's proposed budget plan would under-fund local services by $160 million

Many of the most important services are provided at the local level. Things like public safety, road maintenance, education, parks, and libraries support our economy and make […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 22, 2019

Tags Budget, Homestead Exemption, Income Tax, Municipal Revenue Sharing

Maine’s Economy

The evidence is clear: There's no reason to cut Maine's minimum wage

Efforts to weaken Maine’s minimum wage are perennial objects of consideration in the Maine Legislature. Most often, lawmakers rejects these efforts out of hand — and for […]

James Myall

Posted March 18, 2019

Tags Minimum Wage

Taxes and Budget

Eliminating the income tax would rig our tax code for the wealthiest, guarantee budget shortfalls

Maine’s Legislature is considering a bill that would incrementally eliminate Maine’s income tax. While there is little likelihood of the bill becoming law, it’s critical to note […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 14, 2019

Tags Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Taxes and Budget

Raising taxes on corporate profits over $2 million would boost Maine's economy, improve tax fairness

Corporations need reliable infrastructure and healthy, educated workers to be successful. The Legislature and local communities work hard to foster these conditions for success. Businesses chip in […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 13, 2019

Tags Tax Fairness, Taxes

Jobs and Income

Maine bill to fix overtime will restore the promise of extra pay for extra work

When Mainers work extra hours, they deserve extra pay. The 40-hour workweek has been a pillar of the American economy for decades. It’s still what most of […]

James Myall

Posted March 12, 2019

Tags Job Quality, Overtime

Taxes and Budget

Fixing Maine's estate tax will reduce inequality, secure funds for our future, and make our tax code more fair

Mainers experience dramatic economic inequality. Between 1973 and 2015, the top 1% of Maine families captured 42% of all income growth, leaving just 57% for the remaining […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 4, 2019

Tags Estate Tax, Inequality

Health Care, Maine’s Economy

Earned paid sick days: Good for family budgets, public health and the economy

Maine’s Legislature is currently considering a bill, LD 369, that would ensure all Mainers who work at a company with five or more employees could earn paid […]

James Myall

Posted February 13, 2019

Tags Economy, Health Care, Paid Sick Days

Taxes and Budget

Guest Blog: Who pays and why it matters

Aidan Davis, senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, delivered the following keynote address at MECEP’s 2019 Policy Insights Conference. We’re grateful to […]

MECEP

Posted January 22, 2019

Tags Income Tax, Property Tax, Sales Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes

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Why Maine lawmakers should reject the Local Option Sales Tax

Maine borrowers need a Student Loan Bill of Rights as protection from predatory loan companies

Governor's proposed budget plan would under-fund local services by $160 million

The evidence is clear: There's no reason to cut Maine's minimum wage

Eliminating the income tax would rig our tax code for the wealthiest, guarantee budget shortfalls

Raising taxes on corporate profits over $2 million would boost Maine's economy, improve tax fairness

Maine bill to fix overtime will restore the promise of extra pay for extra work

Fixing Maine's estate tax will reduce inequality, secure funds for our future, and make our tax code more fair

Earned paid sick days: Good for family budgets, public health and the economy

Guest Blog: Who pays and why it matters