Policy Research

MECEP uses research to inform the work of building a stronger, more equitable economy for all Mainers, including those most often held back by policies that perpetuate economic and racial inequality.
We use credible, rigorous analysis to fuel policy recommendations to reduce inequality and create a more broadly shared prosperity.

As Mainers struggle, State gives away millions in new business tax breaks

MECEP Map: Economic Insights for Maine’s Legislative Districts 2025

Dive into the data to discover the economic trends in Maine’s legislative districts, and how they compare with other regions in Maine.

Taxes and Budget

As Mainers struggle, State gives away millions in new business tax breaks

At a glance: While lawmakers cut or underfund services like family planning, free community college, care worker wages, and eviction prevention, they approved millions in new and […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted February 11, 2026

Taxes and Budget

What’s in Governor Mills’ supplemental budget proposal

At a glance: The governor’s supplemental budget proposal uses surplus and Budget Stabilization Fund dollars to maintain current services, meet new federal requirements, fund one-time initiatives, and […]

James Myall

Posted February 10, 2026

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

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Budget pressures facing lawmakers in January — and how to address them

December’s semi-annual revenue forecast for Maine’s general fund reported higher-than-expected revenues for the near future, predicting $250 million more over the next two years than the previous […]

James Myall

Posted December 19, 2025

Tags Budget, Economic Security, Education, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Maine lawmakers have tools to stop the harms of the Republican reconciliation bill

The Republican megabill passed by Congress in July (HR 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) will severely impact Mainers. This bill is a […]

James Myall

Posted December 19, 2025

Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Health Care, Medicaid, Revenue, SNAP, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 2: Big business don’t need help, struggling Mainers do)

Many of Maine’s tax rules are tied to federal law, so when federal tax laws change, the state must decide whether to follow or set its own […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted December 19, 2025

Tags Budget, Federal, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 1: Maine shouldn’t fall for policy gimmicks)

Many of Maine’s tax rules are tied to federal law, so when federal tax laws change, the state must decide whether to follow or set its own rules. Following […]

Maura Pillsbury

Posted December 19, 2025

Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget

Trump’s attacks on Canadians are hurting Maine’s border economies

At a glance Since President Trump’s inauguration, Canadian visits to Maine have dropped sharply — nearly 750,000 fewer land crossings through November 2025 — with the largest […]

James Myall

Posted December 18, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Tariffs, Tourism

Mainers speak on food access and community: Jamie and Tracey

Jamie and Tracey shared their stories as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2025 report. Click here to read the full report. Jamie works at the Belfast Community […]

MECEP

Posted December 17, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Poverty, SNAP, Stories

Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy

In the words of workers: Jesse

Jesse shared his story as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2025 report. Click here to read the full report. Jesse is a carpenter living in Hope with […]

MECEP

Posted December 17, 2025

Tags Child Care, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Health Care, Job Quality, Jobs, SNAP, Wages

Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy

In the words of workers: Jane and Chelsea

Jane and Chelsea shared their story as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2025 report. Click here to read the full report. Jane and her daughter Chelsea live […]

MECEP

Posted December 17, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Health Care, Housing, Inequality, Tariffs

Policy Research

MECEP Map: Economic Insights for Maine’s Legislative Districts 2025

Filter by Category

Filter by Resource Type

Filter by Author

Filter by Tags

Filter by Feature Research

As Mainers struggle, State gives away millions in new business tax breaks

What’s in Governor Mills’ supplemental budget proposal

Budget pressures facing lawmakers in January — and how to address them

Maine lawmakers have tools to stop the harms of the Republican reconciliation bill

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 2: Big business don’t need help, struggling Mainers do)

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 1: Maine shouldn’t fall for policy gimmicks)

Trump’s attacks on Canadians are hurting Maine’s border economies

Mainers speak on food access and community: Jamie and Tracey

In the words of workers: Jesse

In the words of workers: Jane and Chelsea