Taxes and Budget Tax policy hits and misses in the 2024 legislative session The second session of the 131st legislature delivered some surprising tax policy proposals and outcomes. From a bipartisan proposal to raise taxes on wealthy households to a […] Maura Pillsbury Posted April 26, 2024 Tags Corporate Power, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Unfunded bills are unfinished work The legislature has passed a supplemental budget, but its work for this year remains far from done. Both legislative chambers have approved dozens of bills and they […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2024 Tags Child Care, Direct Care Work, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Racial Equity, Wages
Taxes and Budget What’s in the $430 million supplemental budget On Monday, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a $430 million supplemental budget passed by the legislature that includes significant investments in pressing needs for Mainers, particularly […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2024 Tags Budget, Education, Housing, Medicare, Revenue, Seniors, SNAP, Wages
Taxes and Budget Bill to increase taxes on top earners is a step toward a fairer tax code and could be modified to deliver an even bigger boost to Mainers struggling with rising costs Maine Center for Economic Policy applauds the passage of LD 1231, “An Act to Bring Fairness in Income Taxes to Maine Families by Adjusting the Tax Brackets” […] MECEP Posted April 12, 2024 Tags Budget, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Maine lawmakers have signed off on worker protections — now they must fund their implementation Through 2023 and 2024, the Maine legislature passed seven bills to improve Mainers’ rights at work — but these bills won’t become law unless the Appropriations and […] James Myall Posted April 12, 2024 Tags Budget, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Wages
Taxes and Budget Tax Fairness — An Explainer What is tax fairness? Taxes help pay for things that benefit everyone, like good schools, clean air and water, and safe roads. Businesses also need these things […] Karin Leuthy Posted April 12, 2024 Tags Explainer
Taxes and Budget It’s right to re-examine highway funding in Maine At a glance: Highway fund revenue is projected to be $19 million more than what was budgeted last year Shifting $11 million of extra highway funds to […] James Myall Posted April 11, 2024 Tags Budget, Revenue
Education, Jobs and Income Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools At a glance: Maine has a shortage of educators due to wages that are not competitive Maine educators make less on average than peers with similar levels […] James Myall Posted April 8, 2024 Tags Children, Economic Security, Education, Job Quality, Jobs, K-12 Education, Wages
Maine’s Economy People seeking asylum and refuge benefit Maine’s economy — lawmakers need to support them At a glance: People seeking asylum and refuge pay more in taxes than they receive in public assistance over the long term, providing overall benefits to employers […] James Myall Posted March 27, 2024 Tags Economy, Immigration, Racial Equity
Taxes and Budget 8 reasons to call foul on a Sea Dogs tax subsidy With so many other unmet needs in our state, Maine taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize a privately owned sports management company. LD 2258, “An […] Maura Pillsbury Posted March 20, 2024 Tags Budget, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes