Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

Recently, Maine’s legislative Labor Committee heard testimony on more than a dozen bills on Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, most of which would […]

James Myall

Posted May 15, 2025

Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Family and Medical Leave

Jobs and Income

Advocates urge state to shore up Maine’s child care system

Arthur Phillips, an analyst for the Maine Center for Economic Policy, said about 18,000 Maine people are not in the workforce because they can’t afford child care. […]

Portland Press Herald

Posted May 12, 2025

Tags Child Care, Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Revenue

Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget

Lawmakers hear proposals to better support families and child care providers

According to the Maine Center for Economic Policy, an estimated 18,000 people in Maine are currently out of the labor force due to a lack of child care. […]

Maine Morning Star

Posted April 4, 2025

Tags Budget, Child Care, Job Quality, Jobs

Jobs and Income

Proposals to bolster farmworkers’ hour and wage rights back before Legislature

The Maine AFL-CIO was generally in favor of the proposals, but described LD 588 as a compromise. All three of the bills were also supported by the […]

Maine Morning Star

Posted April 2, 2025

Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Racial Equity

Jobs and Income

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers

At a glance: LD 599 would align Maine’s salary threshold for overtime pay with the federal standard of $58,656, ensuring an additional 21,000 salaried workers are eligible […]

James Myall

Posted March 28, 2025

Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Overtime, Wages

Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget

Direct care workers fight for restoration of cost-of-living increases in Maine budget

Arthur Phillips, policy analyst for the Maine Center for Economic Policy, a progressive think tank, said that without the COLAs, the average direct care worker will lose […]

Sun Journal

Posted March 6, 2025

Tags Direct Care Work, Incomes, Job Quality, Jobs

Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget

Maine shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of direct care workers

At a glance: Proposed budget cuts would lower direct care labor reimbursements, reducing pay and worsening workforce shortages Low wages for direct care professionals already impose significant […]

Arthur Phillips

Posted March 5, 2025

Tags Budget, Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs

Jobs and Income

While supportive of Medicaid funding, public pushes back on cuts in Mills’ short-term budget fix

Last year, the Maine Center for Economic Policy in partnership with the Maine Council on Aging released a report that found sizable gaps already exist between care needed and […]

Maine Morning Star

Posted January 24, 2025

Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages

Jobs and Income

Maine speaker seeks higher wages for health care workers

The push for higher pay among direct care workers who work in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and behavioral health facilities is backed by the Maine Center for […]

The Center Square

Posted January 23, 2025

Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages

Jobs and Income

Maine Speaker proposes bill to boost wages for direct care workers

The Maine Center for Economic Policy estimates that Maine needs 2,300 more direct care workers to meet the state’s demand. A raise could help recruit more workers. […]

WGME

Posted January 14, 2025

Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages

Job Quality

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Maine’s paid family leave law is under attack — and must be defended

Advocates urge state to shore up Maine’s child care system

Lawmakers hear proposals to better support families and child care providers

Proposals to bolster farmworkers’ hour and wage rights back before Legislature

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers

Direct care workers fight for restoration of cost-of-living increases in Maine budget

Maine shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of direct care workers

While supportive of Medicaid funding, public pushes back on cuts in Mills’ short-term budget fix

Maine speaker seeks higher wages for health care workers

Maine Speaker proposes bill to boost wages for direct care workers