Jobs and Income Countdown to end of summer break puts heat on child care staff crisis At least 24,000 unemployed Mainers last year cited the state’s child care shortfall as the primary reason they’re not working, according to the Maine Center for Economic Policy. Click […] NewsCenter Maine Posted July 19, 2024 Tags Child Care
Taxes and Budget Unfunded bills are unfinished work The legislature has passed a supplemental budget, but its work for this year remains far from done. Both legislative chambers have approved dozens of bills and they […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2024 Tags Child Care, Direct Care Work, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Racial Equity, Wages
Taxes and Budget Statement on supplemental budget AUGUSTA, Maine — Garrett Martin, president & CEO at the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), released the following statement in reaction to the budget approved by […] Posted April 23, 2024 Tags Budget, Child Care, Corporate Power, Direct Care Work, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes, Wages
Taxes and Budget Facing deep fiscal challenges, child care providers urge lawmakers to adjust reimbursement rules In all, current reimbursement rules cost child care providers that accept subsidies about $5 million a year, said Arthur Phillips of the Maine Center for Economic Policy. […] Maine Morning Star Posted February 20, 2024 Tags Budget, Child Care
Taxes and Budget Targeted investments and targeted tax relief should be on table with yet another surplus “The state can use this surplus to remove barriers that currently hold people back from fully participating in and benefiting from our economy,” said Sarah Austin, director […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 1, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Advocates call for Maine’s $139M surplus to be invested in housing, other critical needs Last week, MECEP released its annual “State of Working Maine” report that details how a lack of childcare, healthcare, support for immigrants and decades of under-production of […] Beacon Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Report: Childcare, housing shortages preventing Maine jobs from being filled A new report shows how a lack of childcare, healthcare, affordable housing, and support for immigrants is exacerbating Maine’s labor market crunch. Policymakers have long seen a demographic problem […] Beacon Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Housing
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Advocates say projected revenue surplus should be spent on housing, childcare and other social services “The state can use this surplus to remove barriers that currently hold people back from fully participating in and benefiting from our economy,” said Sarah Austin, director […] Maine Morning Star Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Revenue
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Maine projected to have $265M in additional revenue through 2025 The liberal Maine Center for Economic Policy said the Democratic-controlled Legislature should prioritize creating more affordable housing and boosting wages in education, child care and direct care […] Bangor Daily News Posted November 28, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Maine expects $265 million budget surplus over 2 years MECEP Policy Director Sarah Austin called for additional investments in housing and wages for teachers, child care providers and direct care workers. “Maine has the resources to […] Portland Press Herald Posted November 28, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Housing, Revenue