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.

MECEP Map: Economic Insights for Maine’s Legislative Districts 2021

To advance racial equity, Maine’s Permanent Commission needs permanent resources

Note: James Myall is a member of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations All Mainers — regardless of race, ethnicity, […]

James Myall

Posted April 14, 2021

Tags Inequality, Racial Equity

Maine can clamp down on corporate tax dodging by targeting tax haven abuse

When Maine communities thrive, so do the corporations that do business here. But when profitable corporations build their wealth by exploiting the tax code and hiding their […]

Sarah Austin

Posted April 14, 2021

Tags Economy, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes

Jobs and Income

Increasing Maine’s minimum wage to $16 would boost wages for more than 350,000 Mainers

Mainers’ wages have risen in recent years thanks in part to increases in the minimum wage approved by voters in 2016. Those increases have led to raises […]

James Myall

Posted April 12, 2021

Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Wages

Jobs and Income

Anti-minimum wage bills would cut Mainers’ wages by $193 million, with big impact on essential workers

A strong minimum wage supports Maine’s workers and creates an economy that is stronger for all of us. But year after year, opponents of the minimum wage […]

James Myall

Posted April 12, 2021

Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Wages

Education

COVID compounds Maine’s education debt crisis. The time to act is now.

MECEP economic policy analyst James Myall contributed to this blog post. There was a student loan crisis before the pandemic, now it is even worse. Despite gains in recent […]

Jody Harris

Posted April 9, 2021

Tags Coronavirus, Education, Higher Education, Student Debt

Jobs and Income

Maine must end carveouts that take workers’ rights away from essential farmers and food producers

Everyone deserves the same basic protections and rights on the job. Laws guaranteeing the minimum wage, overtime, and the right to form a union are foundational to creating […]

James Myall

Posted April 7, 2021

Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Unions, Wages

Maine’s Economy

Transformative “American Rescue Plan” will deliver $6 billion to Maine’s economy

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act recently approved by Congress will deliver roughly $6 billion to Maine’s economy, according to recent MECEP analysis. The top initiatives that will support Maine’s economic […]

James Myall

Posted April 2, 2021

Tags Children, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Education, EITC, Federal, Housing, Infrastructure, K-12 Education, SNAP, Taxes, Unemployment

Jobs and Income

Pine Tree Development Zones promised jobs but didn’t deliver. It’s time to end them.

In 2003, the Maine Legislature created Pine Tree Development Zones, a tax expenditure program designed to spur job creation in economically distressed areas of the state. The […]

Sarah Austin

Posted March 24, 2021

Tags Jobs, Tax Breaks, Taxes

Jobs and Income

At-will employment is cover for discrimination. Maine should abolish it to protect workers from unfair firing

No worker should be fired from their job without a good reason. That’s why we have anti-discrimination laws, which protect Mainers from being fired on the basis […]

James Myall

Posted March 24, 2021

Tags Employment, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs

Jobs and Income

Recognizing foreign credentials would help New Mainers and our state prosper

Maine’s economy is at its best when Mainers of all backgrounds can make full use of their experience, skills, and education. But New Mainers who arrive in […]

James Myall

Posted March 23, 2021

Tags Economy, Employment, Immigration, Inequality, Jobs, Racial Equity

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MECEP Map: Economic Insights for Maine’s Legislative Districts 2021

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To advance racial equity, Maine’s Permanent Commission needs permanent resources

Maine can clamp down on corporate tax dodging by targeting tax haven abuse

Increasing Maine’s minimum wage to $16 would boost wages for more than 350,000 Mainers

Anti-minimum wage bills would cut Mainers’ wages by $193 million, with big impact on essential workers

COVID compounds Maine’s education debt crisis. The time to act is now.

Maine must end carveouts that take workers’ rights away from essential farmers and food producers

Transformative “American Rescue Plan” will deliver $6 billion to Maine’s economy

Pine Tree Development Zones promised jobs but didn’t deliver. It’s time to end them.

At-will employment is cover for discrimination. Maine should abolish it to protect workers from unfair firing

Recognizing foreign credentials would help New Mainers and our state prosper