Explainers
Economic issues can be complicated, complex, and filled with jargon. So we’re taking some of the big issues impacting Mainers and presenting the nuts and bolts! Scroll down to read our Explainers and get in the know.
Tariffs — An Explainer
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods that, when well-targeted and strategically planned, can be a powerful economic tool. However, broad, poorly planned tariffs can harm the economy, trigger trade wars, and disrupt global stability. Not all tariffs are created equal.
Click here for the Tariffs explainer.
Farmworker Rights
Under current Maine law, the people who milk our cows, rake our blueberries, harvest our potatoes, and do the hard work to power Maine’s agricultural sector are denied many basic rights most workers take for granted.
Click here for the Farmworker Rights explainer.
Guaranteed Income
Guaranteed Income is a method of providing regular, unrestricted cash payments to supplement the income of individuals with the greatest need. It is one of several no-strings-attached cash strategies aimed at reducing poverty and inequality.
Click here for the Guaranteed Income explainer.
Tax Fairness
Fair taxes mean everyone pitches in according to their means, so those who have less pay less, and those who have more pay more. Unfortunately, the vast majority of states still have upside-down tax structures, meaning that families with wealth pay a smaller portion of their income in taxes than families with low income. That’s not fair.
Click here for the Tax Fairness explainer.
Tribal Sovereignty
While the restoration of self-governance has proved critically important for tribes throughout Indian Country, unique provisions in federal and Maine law have led to the Wabanaki nations being left behind, unable to access the full benefits of their sovereign status.
Click here for the Tribal Sovereignty explainer.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
At some point in their life, almost every Mainer will need to take extended time away from work for a major life event, like welcoming a new baby, recovering from an illness, or caring for an ailing family member.
Click here for the Paid Family and Medical Leave explainer.
The Debt Ceiling
The debt ceiling is like the nation’s credit limit. When resources are limited due to economic downturns or tax cuts that aren’t paid for, the need to borrow more to honor existing commitments increases.
Click here for the Debt Ceiling explainer.
The Child Tax Credit
Providing financial relief to American taxpayers with dependent children and lifting millions of children out of poverty, the Child Tax Credit is one of the most effective tools for helping families manage the rising cost of raising children.
Click here for the Child Tax Credit explainer.
Predatory Lending
Lenders are considered predatory when they use practices that involve fraudulent, unfair, and abusive loan terms, including ultra-high interest rates and fees, aggressive and deceptive sales tactics, and terms that rob borrowers of their equity.
