Jobs and Income Out of work, out of hope – This is what a depressed economy looks like Tens of thousands of Mainers disheartened by the dim prospects of good paying, middle-class jobs have given up looking for work. Some are discouraged to the point […] James Myall Posted September 21, 2017 Tags Economic Security, Jobs
Jobs and Income Women have the right to vote, but still don't get equal pay for equal work At the current pace, Maine women won’t see equal pay for equal work until 2057. Despite significant advances in civil rights, women still face economic inequality. Sarah Austin Posted August 26, 2017 Tags Incomes, Inequality
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Pine Tree Development Zones fail to create quality jobs in areas of need As part of a multiyear review of business tax credits, the state’s government accountability office reported today that the Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) program does not live up to its promise of creating good jobs in higher unemployment areas. Sarah Austin Posted August 23, 2017 Tags Economy, Jobs, Tax Breaks, Taxes
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to LD 1609, “An Act To Support Maine's Employers and Encourage Employers To Hire Young Workers” Maine’s minimum wage increase will help to restore the value of work for tens of thousands of Mainers. It will increase wages for one-third of Maine’s workforce, […] Mark Sullivan Posted May 23, 2017 Tags Jobs
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to LD 65 “An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment” and LD66 “An Act To Prohibit Public Employers from Acting as Collection Agents for Labor Unions” A prosperous future for Maine and a robust economy requires more middle-wage jobs with good benefits and working conditions that are compatible with family life. Maine cannot […] Mark Sullivan Posted May 8, 2017 Tags Unions
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to Three Bills to Alter the Minimum Wage Law Passed by Voters in November 2016 Seven states have already removed the special exemption from minimum wages known as the “tip credit” (Alaska, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington). Federal Earnings data show […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 5, 2017 Tags Minimum Wage
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to: LD 774, 775, 778, 831, 971, 991, 1005 The potential benefits of the recent minimum wage increase could be jeopardized for workers, families, children, and seniors if the proposals to eliminate indexing or reduce minimum […] Jody Harris Posted April 5, 2017 Tags Minimum Wage
Jobs and Income Testimony in Support of LD 895 An Act To Help Maine Manufacturing and LD 956 An Act To Establish the Maine Buy America and Build Maine Act We urge to the committee to support this legislation, which would help preserve good-paying manufacturing jobs in Maine and elsewhere in the United States by helping our […] Mark Sullivan Posted March 27, 2017 Tags Jobs
Jobs and Income A $12 minimum wage by 2020 will lift wages for Maine women and their families (pie chart) Mark Sullivan Posted September 19, 2016 Tags Minimum Wage
Jobs and Income Restoring the Value of Work (full report) This November, Maine voters will consider a ballot initiative to raise the state minimum wage incrementally to $12 an hour by 2020 and gradually increase the subminimum […] Mark Sullivan Posted August 17, 2016 Tags Minimum Wage