Maine’s Economy Rising prices ease but more work remains to improve economic security for Mainers Price increases significantly moderated in the second half of 2022 For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the monthly US Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined […] Arthur Phillips Posted January 13, 2023 Tags Economy, Inflation
Taxes and Budget Yes, a budget can change lives Upcoming budget process gives legislators a choice to make our communities more resilient As Mainers have seen, when legislators resist a scarcity mindset and choose to fund […] Josie Phillips Posted January 9, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, Children, Health Care
Taxes and Budget New year, new budgets, new ways to put working families first In passing the 2023 budget plan, our representatives in Congress took an important step in providing the kinds of tools Maine working families said they need, including […] MECEP Posted January 5, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, Children, Education, Federal, Higher Education, Housing, Medicaid, Wages
Health Care MaineCare Expansion at 4: Greater Care, Healthier Hospitals, Stronger Economy On January 3, 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed her first executive order, implementing the expansion of MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program, which had been approved by voters in […] James Myall Posted January 3, 2023 Tags Health Care, Immigration, Medicaid
Taxes and Budget Heating and housing relief package can’t wait until January Last week, the Maine legislature voted on a $474 million emergency heating and housing relief bill proposed by Governor Mills in consultation with Democratic and Republican leaders. […] James Myall Posted December 15, 2022 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Housing, Inequality, Poverty
Maine’s Economy U.S. Trans Survey is a vital resource for the transgender community and policymakers All Mainers benefit when the best information is available to develop policy solutions that address discrimination and inequities in the state. Unfortunately, despite widespread recognition of the […] Josie Phillips Posted September 22, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Gender, Inclusive Economy, Incomes, Inequality, Jobs
Taxes and Budget Tax freeze program fails to focus on older Mainers who need it most All older Mainers deserve access to safe and affordable housing, without the fear of being unable to pay their bills or losing their home as they age. […] Maura Pillsbury Posted September 8, 2022 Tags Economy, Housing, Income Tax, Incomes, Property Tax, Seniors, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Pension exemptions benefit wealthy households and compromise resources This year, lawmakers included a tax change in the state’s budget that will significantly expand tax benefits for pension recipients in Maine. Beginning in 2023, pension recipients […] Sarah Austin Posted August 25, 2022 Tags Income Tax, Incomes, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget The Inflation Reduction Act makes our tax code fairer, tackles the climate crisis, and makes health care more affordable for Mainers On Sunday, the US Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill which promises to make historic investments in clean energy, long-awaited fixes to our upside-down tax […] James Myall Posted August 11, 2022 Tags Federal, Health Care, Inflation, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget A recent history of Maine’s swiftly evolving tax code For most of the 1990s and 2000s, Maine’s tax code remained relatively stable. Corporate and income tax rates were unchanged and except for modifications to how the […] Sarah Austin Posted August 4, 2022 Tags Budget, EITC, Income Tax, Property Tax, Revenue, Sales Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes