Taxes and Budget Governor's proposed budget plan would under-fund local services by $160 million Many of the most important services are provided at the local level. Things like public safety, road maintenance, education, parks, and libraries support our economy and make […] Sarah Austin Posted March 22, 2019 Tags Budget, Homestead Exemption, Income Tax, Municipal Revenue Sharing
Maine’s Economy The evidence is clear: There's no reason to cut Maine's minimum wage Efforts to weaken Maine’s minimum wage are perennial objects of consideration in the Maine Legislature. Most often, lawmakers rejects these efforts out of hand — and for […] James Myall Posted March 18, 2019 Tags Minimum Wage
Taxes and Budget Eliminating the income tax would rig our tax code for the wealthiest, guarantee budget shortfalls Maine’s Legislature is considering a bill that would incrementally eliminate Maine’s income tax. While there is little likelihood of the bill becoming law, it’s critical to note […] Sarah Austin Posted March 14, 2019 Tags Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Raising taxes on corporate profits over $2 million would boost Maine's economy, improve tax fairness Corporations need reliable infrastructure and healthy, educated workers to be successful. The Legislature and local communities work hard to foster these conditions for success. Businesses chip in […] Sarah Austin Posted March 13, 2019 Tags Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income Maine bill to fix overtime will restore the promise of extra pay for extra work When Mainers work extra hours, they deserve extra pay. The 40-hour workweek has been a pillar of the American economy for decades. It’s still what most of […] James Myall Posted March 12, 2019 Tags Job Quality, Overtime
Taxes and Budget Fixing Maine's estate tax will reduce inequality, secure funds for our future, and make our tax code more fair Mainers experience dramatic economic inequality. Between 1973 and 2015, the top 1% of Maine families captured 42% of all income growth, leaving just 57% for the remaining […] Sarah Austin Posted March 4, 2019 Tags Estate Tax, Inequality
Health Care, Maine’s Economy Earned paid sick days: Good for family budgets, public health and the economy Maine’s Legislature is currently considering a bill, LD 369, that would ensure all Mainers who work at a company with five or more employees could earn paid […] James Myall Posted February 13, 2019 Tags Economy, Health Care, Paid Sick Days
Taxes and Budget Guest Blog: Who pays and why it matters Aidan Davis, senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, delivered the following keynote address at MECEP’s 2019 Policy Insights Conference. We’re grateful to […] MECEP Posted January 22, 2019 Tags Income Tax, Property Tax, Sales Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Education, Maine’s Economy Predatory practices increase Mainers’ student debt and financial troubles Mainers are carrying nearly $6 billion in education debt. Large figures like that can be difficult to wrap our heads around, so think of it this way: […] Jody Harris Posted December 19, 2018 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Taxes and Budget Maine still has work to do in building a balanced and adequate tax code Building an inclusive economy requires tax policy that meets two conditions. The first is that those with the most are asked to pay more, or at the […] Sarah Austin Posted October 17, 2018 Tags Income Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes