Maine’s economic future hinges on our ability to attract, retain, and maximize the contributions of racial and ethnic populations. Relative to other states and nations, Maine is not necessarily an outlier in terms of the aging of our population. Where we differ most is in our relative lack of racial and ethnic diversity.
Good afternoon, Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government. My name is James Myall policy analyst with. I am here representing our executive director, Garrett Martin who wanted to be here today, but had to be out-of-state. MECEP supports LD 1008, “An Act To Establish the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations.”
Maine’s economic future hinges on our ability to attract, retain, and maximize the contributions of racial and ethnic populations. Relative to other states and nations, Maine is not necessarily an outlier in terms of the aging of our population. Where we differ most is in our relative lack of racial and ethnic diversity.
Perhaps because of the limited share of Maine’s population that is represented by minority populations, it is easy to overlook the contributions and challenges of these residents. For example, small business ownership rates tend to be higher among certain minority populations in Maine. By 2014, the number of Maine businesses with employees owned by blacks and Asians had increased since the recession began while the number of white owned firms remains below prerecession levels. Furthermore, black youth aged 16 to 24 in Maine are more likely to be employed than their white counterparts.
By contrast, Maine consistently has the highest―or among the highest—rates of African-American poverty in the nation.[1] Whites with a high school degree are just as likely to be employed as blacks with a bachelor’s degree. Twenty seven percent of white workers are in low-wage jobs (those paying less than $11.20) compared to 42% of minority workers in Maine.
We should strive to maximize the potential of all Mainers regardless their ethnicity, state, or country of origin. Doing so requires us to take an intentional look at the experiences and outcomes of racial and ethnic populations in Maine. Establishing a permanent commission is an important first step.
In less than 30 years, the United States is expected to become a so-called “majority-minority” population,[2] meaning that less than half the population will identify as white non-Hispanic. Maine cannot afford to be perceived as an “old, white” state in an increasingly young and pluralistic nation. A permanent commission will allow us to benefit from the experiences and perspective of racial and ethnic populations already in Maine to orient our state towards an even more diverse and dynamic economic and demographic future.
Thank you. I’ll be happy to take any questions.
[1] https://www.mecep.org/census-bureau-data-poverty-among-blacks-and-african-americans-in-maine-is-the-highest-in-the-nation/
[2] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2014/12/12/new-projections-point-to-a-majority-minority-nation-in-2044/
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