Maine’s Economy Report: State of Working Maine 2019 Introduction How should we measure Maine’s economy? An economy is strongest when it works for everyone. That means everyone has a fair shot at success, everyone’s contributions […] James Myall Posted December 18, 2019 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Food Insecurity, Incomes, Inequality, Jobs, Unemployment, Wages
Health Care Five numbers to understand Obamacare's impact in Maine As of November 1, Mainers can shop for health care plans through the federal insurance marketplace at healthcare.gov. Consumers have until December 15 to buy a marketplace […] James Myall Posted November 12, 2019 Tags Affordable Care Act, Federal, Health Care, Medicaid
Jobs and Income For people of color and less-educated workers, Maine unemployment figures don't tell the whole story The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released estimates showing that Maine’s unemployment rate was a seasonally-adjusted 2.9 percent in September, marking three consecutive months of the […] James Myall Posted November 1, 2019 Tags Education, Employment, Inequality, Racial Equity
Maine’s Economy Household incomes declined but wages increased in 2018. Here's how. The latest round of 2018 data from the census bureau released last week contained two apparently contradictory trends: Household incomes in Maine went down over the previous […] James Myall Posted October 9, 2019 Tags Economy, Incomes, Job Quality, Jobs
Health Care New Census data: Maine’s uninsured rate remained steady in 2018 The share of Mainers who lack health insurance remained steady from 2017 to 1018, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. More than […] James Myall Posted September 10, 2019 Tags Affordable Care Act, Federal, Health Care, Medicaid
Jobs and Income Unions promote stronger, fairer economy for all workers Labor unions are a time-tested way for workers to organize and negotiate collectively for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. By advocating for better conditions […] James Myall Posted September 1, 2019 Tags Economy, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Unions
Education This year, Maine teachers will spend $5.2 million of their own money on school supplies This year, Maine’s public school teachers will spend $5.2 million — an average of $356 per teacher — to keep their classrooms well stocked with school supplies.[1] […] James Myall Posted August 28, 2019 Tags Education, Incomes, Job Quality
Maine’s Economy Maine must do more to understand, and address, the root causes of racial inequality Publicly available data in Maine paints a picture of economic, health, education, and criminal justice systems that work better for white Mainers than for Mainers of color. […] James Myall Posted June 3, 2019 Tags Inequality, Racial Equity
Health Care To protect consumers, Maine must curb junk health insurance plans Recent policy changes by President Donald Trump’s administration will make it easier for junk insurance plans to flood Maine’s health care market, putting Mainers at risk of […] James Myall Posted May 15, 2019 Tags Affordable Care Act, Health Care
Education Debt-free community college would make college more accessible, boost Maine's economy Access to a college education remains the best way for Mainers to boost their lifetime earnings and economic well-being. Yet too often, the cost of college is […] James Myall Posted May 7, 2019 Tags Education, Higher Education, Student Debt