Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Amending Build Back Better to lift SALT cap would undermine tax fairness As President Biden’s Build Back Better plan moves forward, Congressional leaders are considering an increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Under current law, individuals […] Sarah Austin Posted November 10, 2021 Tags Budget, Federal, Income Tax
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget New research finds Biden agenda would strengthen long-term economic growth, ease inflation On Thursday, Moody’s Analytics released an assessment of the projected macroeconomic impact of both the federal infrastructure and Build Back Better reconciliation bills. The analysis found the […] Arthur Phillips Posted November 4, 2021 Tags Economy, Federal
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Jobs report highlights continued barriers to Mainers returning to work Today, the Maine Department of Labor released data showing a modest decline in jobs, further evidence that the September 4 expiration of supplemental unemployment support for tens […] Arthur Phillips Posted October 22, 2021 Tags Economy, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs, Unemployment, Wages
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget American Rescue Plan Act funding creates opportunity for Maine counties Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to provide relief to states and localities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with its passage, an […] Maura Pillsbury Posted October 8, 2021 Tags Economic Security, Economy
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Build Back Better promises to transform child care The Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fundamentally change the lives of working people, families, and children in Maine. Among other pillars, the plan […] Arthur Phillips Posted September 29, 2021 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Children, Jobs, Wages
Taxes and Budget House Ways and Means Committee tax plan rebalances tax code, boosts incomes for Mainers New analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found provisions in a bill recently approved by the House Ways and Means Committee would improve tax […] Sarah Austin Posted September 29, 2021 Tags Economic Security, Incomes, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Child Tax Credit expansion reducing hunger, increasing security for Maine kids — Congress must continue this life-changing program The Biden administration’s improvements to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) are cutting child hunger and improving economic security for families nationwide. About 4 out of 5 kids […] Sarah Austin Posted September 27, 2021 Tags Children, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Food Insecurity, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Legislative watchdog finds Maine seed capital program needs fixing Maine spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year in business tax incentives. Because allocating money for this purpose reduces potential investments in other priorities including education […] Maura Pillsbury Posted September 21, 2021 Tags Budget, Tax Breaks, Taxes
Taxes and Budget State lawmakers make unprecedented investments in Maine communities and families this session Lawmakers delivered unprecedented resources to Maine people and communities this year as federal dollars and strong state tax revenues supported historic levels of investment in response to […] Sarah Austin Posted September 10, 2021 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Children, Education, Higher Education
Jobs and Income Latest data shows up to 95,000 Mainers risk losing unemployment benefits this week As noted by Maine Center for Economic Policy in a previous article, September 4 marks the end of new federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs enacted by Congress […] James Myall Posted September 6, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Federal, Unemployment, Wages