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State of Working Maine 2024: Gains and Gaps in a Strong Economy

A strong labor market defines the post-pandemic economy in Maine, and wage growth has generally been strong over the last five years. Despite this generally positive outlook, rising costs continue to undermine Mainers across income levels.

Taxes and Budget

Tariffs — An Explainer

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. When targeted and strategically planned, they can counter unfair trade practices, serve as negotiation leverage, and generate revenue. But not all tariffs are created equal. Broad, poorly planned tariffs can harm the economy, trigger trade wars, and disrupt global stability.

Taxes and Budget

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

Congress, where Republicans have a majority, is considering pairing spending cuts for food security, health, and other important programs with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy.

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

MECEP advances equity and prosperity for all Maine people through issue-based analysis, education, and advocacy.

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State of Working Maine 2024: Gains and Gaps in a Strong Economy

Tariffs — An Explainer

Federal Budget Recap: House trades food security and health care for billionaire tax cuts in one big, ugly bill

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

The impact of a $19 minimum wage on Portland workers and the local economy

Maine minimum wage hits $15.10 in January, boosting pay for 100,000 workers

LD 1932: Maine direct care bill could raise pay, improve services

Tariffs — An Explainer

LD 1932: Maine direct care bill could raise pay, improve services

Tariffs — An Explainer

Legislative Rundown: First regular session of the 132nd

Tax Fairness — An Explainer

The impact of a $19 minimum wage on Portland workers and the local economy

Maine minimum wage hits $15.10 in January, boosting pay for 100,000 workers

LD 1932: Maine direct care bill could raise pay, improve services

Legislative Rundown: First regular session of the 132nd

Legislative Rundown: First regular session of the 132nd

How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor

Federal budget plan puts Maine’s rural hospitals at grave risk, reports show

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

Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools

Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education

To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is broken — let’s fix it

The impact of a $19 minimum wage on Portland workers and the local economy

Maine minimum wage hits $15.10 in January, boosting pay for 100,000 workers

Tariffs — An Explainer

Legislative Rundown: First regular session of the 132nd

Stay up to date

U.S. Census data show tens of thousands of Mainers benefit from government assistance programs

Wednesday Sit-Down: The state of labor in Maine

Opinion: Hey Portland! It’s past time for a $20 an hour minimum wage

Wednesday Sit-Down: Back to school tariff impacts

Manchester United are importing a sinister US tactic: Public money for stadiums