Maine’s Economy LePage picks 32 communities – including some wealthier ones – for investment incentive “Some analysts think the lightly regulated program could unlock hundreds of billions of dollars from investors who are hesitant to cash out of investments because of capital […] Portland Press Herald Posted May 21, 2018 Tags Economy
Taxes and Budget LePage warns taxpayers that some may need to file amendments to their 2017 returns “Sarah Austin, a tax policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy, said a relatively small number of people might need to file amended returns because […] Portland Press Herald Posted May 18, 2018 Tags Taxes
Jobs and Income CBS Moneywatch: Must work for food stamps: A modest proposal or recipe for hunger? “… Those who work to combat hunger in Maine say that while food-stamp enrollment has declined, the work requirement hasn’t done anything to reduce hunger in the […] CBS Moneywatch Posted May 17, 2018 Tags Employment, Food Insecurity
Jobs and Income Letter to the editor: Maine bill to restrict food stamps both harmful to poor and expensive “… The proposed bill limits waivers, creates a benefits cliff and applies work requirements to individuals over 50 and parents of school-aged children. These restrictions were modeled on Maine […] Portland Press Herald Posted May 15, 2018 Tags Employment, Food Insecurity
Taxes and Budget Setting the record straight: Absence of tax conformity will not cause tax increase AUGUSTA, Maine — Recently, some lawmakers’s statements and media reports have misstated the consequences for Maine income tax filers that would come if the Legislature adjourned without […] Posted April 25, 2018 Tags Taxes, Trump Tax Cuts
Education MaineBiz: MECEP supports LePage/Grohman student debt relief effort From the article: James Myall, a policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, described the bill “as a promising initiative to start addressing these economic problems.” […] MaineBiz Posted March 19, 2018 Tags Education, Higher Education, Student Debt
Taxes and Budget PRESS RELEASE: LePage Tax Bill siphons revenue from Maine's future to pay for benefits to profitable businesses and wealthy households AUGUSTA, Maine – Gov. Paul LePage’s administration on Thursday unveiled the governor’s tax conformity bill – an $88.2 million proposal to adopt portions of the Trump Tax Plan […] Posted March 1, 2018 Tags Budget, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes, TCJA
Taxes and Budget Tens of millions in proposed tax breaks for profitable businesses jeopardize Maine's future This legislative session, lawmakers face a critical choice for Maine’s future: invest in the things that help our communities thrive and all of us prosper, or hand […] Mario Moretto Posted March 1, 2018 Tags Revenue, Tax Breaks, Taxes, TCJA
Maine’s Economy Press Release: New revenue identified in latest forecast should fund state needs, not tax breaks AUGUSTA, Maine — The state’s Revenue Forecasting Committee told lawmakers on Tuesday that Maine’s General Fund will exceed original estimates by roughly $128.5 million in the current budget […] Posted February 27, 2018 Tags Budget, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Taxes
Education, Maine’s Economy 'LIFT 2.0' bill will increase earnings, reduce poverty with job training, education On Tuesday, Maine’s Speaker of the House, Sara Gideon, presented a bill to reduce poverty by expanding access to education and job training. The legislation will lift […] Mario Moretto Posted February 16, 2018 Tags Jobs, Poverty, SNAP, TANF