Jobs and Income Maine must end carveouts that take workers’ rights away from essential farmers and food producers Everyone deserves the same basic protections and rights on the job. Laws guaranteeing the minimum wage, overtime, and the right to form a union are foundational to creating […] James Myall Posted April 7, 2021 Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Unions, Wages
Maine’s Economy Transformative “American Rescue Plan” will deliver $6 billion to Maine’s economy The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act recently approved by Congress will deliver roughly $6 billion to Maine’s economy, according to recent MECEP analysis. The top initiatives that will support Maine’s economic […] James Myall Posted April 2, 2021 Tags Children, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Education, EITC, Federal, Housing, Infrastructure, K-12 Education, SNAP, Taxes, Unemployment
Jobs and Income At-will employment is cover for discrimination. Maine should abolish it to protect workers from unfair firing No worker should be fired from their job without a good reason. That’s why we have anti-discrimination laws, which protect Mainers from being fired on the basis […] James Myall Posted March 24, 2021 Tags Employment, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income Recognizing foreign credentials would help New Mainers and our state prosper Maine’s economy is at its best when Mainers of all backgrounds can make full use of their experience, skills, and education. But New Mainers who arrive in […] James Myall Posted March 23, 2021 Tags Economy, Employment, Immigration, Inequality, Jobs, Racial Equity
Jobs and Income Extra pay for extra work: How Maine can restore overtime pay for 28,000 Mainers When Mainers work long hours, they deserve to be compensated fairly for their extra work. Overtime protections exist to ensure extra work is rewarded with extra pay, […] James Myall Posted March 22, 2021 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Overtime, Wages
Health Care Maine lawmakers consider several bills to tackle rising health care costs Health care is a human right. But soaring health care costs prevent many Mainers from getting the care they need, and the problem is getting worse; The […] James Myall Posted March 18, 2021 Tags Health Care, Prescription Drugs
Jobs and Income Wage theft costs workers millions. This bill would help workers get what they’re owed. All Mainers are entitled to the wages they earn, and no one should have their wages stolen by their employer. While most employers play by the rules […] James Myall Posted March 17, 2021 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Wages
Health Care One in ten Black Mainers has tested positive for COVID. Our vaccine plan may widen racial disparities. In late February, Maine passed another grim COVID-19 milestone, with one in ten Black Mainers having tested positive for the virus. That’s more than three times the […] James Myall Posted March 4, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Inequality, Racial Equity
Health Care Postpartum coverage bill would extend critical health care for new moms in Maine New mothers have unique health care needs that must be met in order for new families to get the best start together. But for many new moms with low incomes, […] James Myall Posted February 26, 2021 Tags Children, Health Care, Medicaid
Health Care Expanding health care for children will put Maine kids on upward trajectory for life Access to affordable health care makes a huge difference to a child’s future. Investing in children’s health care will help ensure we have a healthy population and […] James Myall Posted February 24, 2021 Tags Children, Health Care