Education, Jobs and Income Jody Harris: Maine needs a student loan bill of rights Escalating college debt and rising rates of student loan defaults threaten to derail the benefits of higher education for Maine’s families and our economy. Money that normally would […] Sun Journal Posted May 26, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Jobs and Income Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders Under its new director, the agency charged with protecting Americans from financial deception is instead planning to serve them up to some of Wall Street’s worst actors. […] Bangor Daily News Posted May 16, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection
Jobs and Income Even GOP Voters Are Applauding AOC and Sanders for Taking on Lenders Five states have now passed referenda limiting payday loans: South Dakota, Ohio, Arizona, Montana, and this past November, Colorado. There, voters overwhelmingly passed a measure capping interest rates at […] Truthout Posted May 16, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection
Education, Maine’s Economy Maine borrowers need a Student Loan Bill of Rights as protection from predatory loan companies We all have heard the numbers about escalating student loan debt across the country. Maine is no exception. Residents of our state carry more than $6 billion […] Jody Harris Posted March 26, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education Predatory practices increase Mainers' student debt and financial troubles Mainers are carrying nearly $6 billion in education debt. Large figures like that can be difficult to wrap our heads around, so think of it this way: […] Jody Harris Posted December 19, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Maine’s Economy Predatory practices increase Mainers’ student debt and financial troubles Mainers are carrying nearly $6 billion in education debt. Large figures like that can be difficult to wrap our heads around, so think of it this way: […] Jody Harris Posted December 19, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income Conference addresses consumer protection The dramatic impact of student loan debt was a primary concern of panelists at the conference. MECEP Associate Director Jody Harris said student loan debt in Maine […] The Free Press Posted December 13, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education Policy Brief: Predatory actors worsen borrowers' woes as education debt holds back Maine's economy Summary: Higher education is a boon to graduates and Maine’s economy. It increases degree holders’ lifetime earnings, improves business competitiveness, and spurs consumer spending. But escalating college […] Jody Harris Posted December 10, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income Maine college graduates struggle to pay down school debt as state battles with lenders A new [MECEP] poll shows that student loan debt and predatory practices by some lenders that make paying loans back increasingly expensive prevents a majority of borrowers […] MaineBiz Posted December 3, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income Survey finds that Mainers are struggling to pay off student loans Mainers are struggling to pay off their student loans, with their debt impacting everything from car purchases to health care. That’s according to the results of a […] Maine Public Posted December 1, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt