Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine's Workforce Download the PDF: Full Report Summary Stories The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce. In 2003, approximately 3 percent of jobs in Maine […] James Myall Posted November 20, 2023 Tags Affordable Care Act, Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Education, Housing, Immigration, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Maine’s Economy New Census Bureau data shows mixed progress on income, poverty, and health The latest round of the American Community Survey (ACS) released by the US Census Bureau in September offers a snapshot of economic and social conditions in Maine […] James Myall Posted November 1, 2023 Tags Affordable Care Act, Economic Security, Health Care, Incomes, Inflation, Minimum Wage, Poverty, SNAP, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine minimum wage will rise to $14.15 in 2024, boosting wages for 127,000 Mainers Maine’s minimum wage will increase to $14.15 per hour on January 1, 2024, according to recent inflation data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). […] James Myall Posted September 28, 2023 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Wages
Jobs and Income Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been steady gains in the overall output of Maine’s economy and workforce, employment levels, and wages for people […] James Myall Posted July 31, 2023 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Fair Scheduling, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Health Care Survey results show a “broken” health care system in Maine Profit-centered. Unaffordable. Confusing. This is how Mainers describe our health care system. When even people who are insured describe rationing medication, forgoing treatment, and thousands of dollars […] James Myall Posted June 21, 2023 Tags Health Care
Jobs and Income 5 reasons Maine shouldn’t look to New Hampshire on Paid Family and Medical Leave Last week, Maine’s Labor and Housing Committee voted to advance a bill which would establish a near-universal Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program for Maine workers. […] James Myall Posted June 9, 2023 Tags Family and Medical Leave, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine needs a “reporting pay” requirement Imagine you’re working at a fast-food restaurant. You’re used to getting called in on short notice to fill shifts, but you’re never sure if you’re actually going […] James Myall Posted May 31, 2023 Tags Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income Legislature’s Labor Committee votes for $15 minimum wage in 2024 Since 2016, increases to Maine’s minimum wage have contributed to lower child poverty rates, put more money into Mainer’s pockets, and made our economy stronger for everyone. […] James Myall Posted May 5, 2023 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Wages
Jobs and Income Pay transparency promotes equality and empowers workers During the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mainers have increasingly recognized the value of their labor and demanded to be paid fairly. Workers in traditionally low-wage occupations, […] James Myall Posted May 4, 2023 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income Improved scheduling practices give workers more stability Workers are the engines of the economy. Their labor, skills and contributions make the economy run, and it’s time for their hard work to result in livable […] James Myall Posted April 3, 2023 Tags Job Quality, Jobs