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.

REPORT: State of Working Maine 2020

What will happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act?

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in California v Texas, a lawsuit backed by 18 state attorneys general and the Trump administration, which asks […]

James Myall

Posted November 18, 2020

Tags Affordable Care Act, Federal, Health Care, Medicaid, Prescription Drugs

Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy

REPORT: State of Working Maine 2020

Download the PDF version Download Introduction: Race Equity Means A Stronger, Fairer Economy for All Mainers Race equity means: A stronger, fairer economy Better job opportunities Realizing […]

James Myall

Posted November 9, 2020

Tags Economic Security, Economy, Education, Higher Education, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Racial Equity, Wages

Maine’s Economy

Maine’s unequal pandemic recession and recovery

Maine’s economy is making a slow but steady recovery from the depths of the downturn spurred by the arrival of the coronavirus and COVID-19. But like the […]

James Myall

Posted October 20, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Jobs, Racial Equity

Jobs and Income

New federal rules give shady lenders green light to scam Mainers

Payday lenders are exploiting loopholes to evade Maine’s consumer protection laws. Their shadowy practices are leaving Mainers in the lurch. Now, the Trump administration is floating a rule change that would let predatory corporations fleece […]

Jody Harris

Posted October 2, 2020

Tags Consumer Protection, Federal

Taxes and Budget

REPORT: Solving Maine’s Pandemic Revenue Crisis

States that responded to the Great Recession by maintaining or increasing state jobs and spending outperformed states, such as Maine, that responded with layoffs and spending cuts. […]

Sarah Austin

Posted September 28, 2020

Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Revenue, Taxes

Maine’s Economy

New Census data highlights cracks in the economy – even before COVID

New data released Thursday by the US Census Bureau show that many Mainers were already experiencing hardship before the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed the tenuous nature of the economic gains the state enjoyed in […]

James Myall

Posted September 18, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Health Care, Poverty, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Despite modest recovery, pandemic hardship lingers for tens of thousands of Mainers

Tens of thousands of Maine households are still struggling to afford basic needs such as groceries and rent, according to the latest data from the US Census […]

James Myall

Posted September 16, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Incomes, Unemployment

Taxes and Budget

RESEARCH REVIEW: State tax and budget cuts don’t boost economic activity and can cause harm

Supporters of tax cuts often claim they will directly boost economic activity. A large body of research refutes this argument. In a comprehensive review of four decades […]

MECEP

Posted August 18, 2020

Tags Budget, Economy, Recession, Revenue, Taxes

Maine’s Economy

Trump’s executive actions don’t let Senate Republicans off the hook

The recent executive actions by President Donald Trump offer only a false sense of relief to the tens of thousands of Mainers who have seen their incomes […]

James Myall

Posted August 11, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Data reveals return to work not affected by $600 unemployment boost

There’s no relationship between expanded Unemployment Compensation payments and individuals’ likelihood of returning to work, according to two recent studies. One, by researchers at Yale University, finds that more generous UC payments are not […]

James Myall

Posted July 31, 2020

Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment

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REPORT: State of Working Maine 2020

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What will happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act?

REPORT: State of Working Maine 2020

Maine’s unequal pandemic recession and recovery

New federal rules give shady lenders green light to scam Mainers

REPORT: Solving Maine’s Pandemic Revenue Crisis

New Census data highlights cracks in the economy – even before COVID

Despite modest recovery, pandemic hardship lingers for tens of thousands of Mainers

RESEARCH REVIEW: State tax and budget cuts don’t boost economic activity and can cause harm

Trump’s executive actions don’t let Senate Republicans off the hook

Data reveals return to work not affected by $600 unemployment boost