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State of Working Maine 2025: Strengthening Economic Opportunity in Rural Communities and Beyond

Economic opportunity in Maine is not an inevitable result of rural geography, but a consequence of state and federal policy choices that have boosted growth in the Portland metro area while leaving much of the state behind.

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.

Maine's Economy

Sovereignty Starts Here: Land, Economy, and Tribal Rights in Maine

Maine has profited from centuries of Wabanaki land loss. Supporting land return and sovereignty reforms is both a moral responsibility and a smart economic investment.

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 2025: Strengthening Economic Opportunity in Rural Communities and Beyond

Tariffs — An Explainer

Sovereignty Starts Here: Land, Economy, and Tribal Rights in Maine

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.

As Mainers struggle, State gives away millions in new business tax breaks

What’s in Governor Mills’ supplemental budget proposal

Budget pressures facing lawmakers in January — and how to address them

Maine lawmakers have tools to stop the harms of the Republican reconciliation bill

As Mainers struggle, State gives away millions in new business tax breaks

What’s in Governor Mills’ supplemental budget proposal

Budget pressures facing lawmakers in January — and how to address them

Maine lawmakers have tools to stop the harms of the Republican reconciliation bill

In the words of workers: Jesse

In the words of workers: Jane and Chelsea

In the words of workers: Becky

In the words of workers: Abbey

In the words of workers: Jesse

How the Congressional health care fight impacts Mainers

Legislative Rundown: First regular session of the 132nd

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

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

Budget pressures facing lawmakers in January — and how to address them

Maine lawmakers have tools to stop the harms of the Republican reconciliation bill

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 2: Big business don’t need help, struggling Mainers do)

Tax conformity decisions will shape Maine’s future (Part 1: Maine shouldn’t fall for policy gimmicks)

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As Maine feels the affordability crunch, here are lawmakers’ plans to ease the burden

Wednesday Sit-Down: Analyzing the budget

Maine’s hospitals chase financial stability as Medicaid cuts loom

How the Wabanaki coalition is fighting for tribal sovereignty

Wednesday Sit-Down: Possible government shutdown due to ICE