Maine’s Economy Top Democrats propose bill to assess racial biases in Maine laws “There’s all this information that’s out there that legislators don’t even know is available until they ask for it,” said James Myall, a policy analyst for the […] Bangor Daily News Posted February 3, 2021 Tags Racial Equity
Taxes and Budget The Daily Brief: Janet Mills boxed herself in on virus aid taxes before reversing course Republicans have argued that Mills should fund the tax cuts with spending cuts rather than federal funding, but Wednesday marked a victory in their first real tax […] Bangor Daily News Posted January 28, 2021 Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income Court case begins in Portland to settle hazard pay disputes An independent study by the Maine Center for Economic Policy, a liberal think tank, found that at least 9,700 workers would be impacted by the emergency hazard […] Bangor Daily News Posted January 20, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Incomes, Wages
Maine’s Economy 4 Maine Burger King restaurants are closing for good But overall, quick-service restaurants like Burger King have fared better than other kinds of restaurants during the pandemic, James Myall, policy analyst at the left-leaning Maine Center […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 28, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economy, Jobs
Maine’s Economy Maine’s economic recovery relies on vaccines and a stimulus in 2021 Myall: If Congress doesn’t take the right approach to relief for individuals and governments, we could see a slower recovery or even a second recession. In particular, […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 24, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Recession
Jobs and Income Pandemic leads more Mainers to work fewer hours or in less-skilled jobs The number of underemployed workers typically increases during times of economic downturn, as individuals who are struggling to get by or lose unemployment benefits are more likely […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 19, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Employment, Jobs
Jobs and Income Most unemployed Mainers will lose benefits as virus spikes The majority of people on unemployment — about 29,600, according to the Maine Department of Labor — will lose benefits when federal programs expire on Dec. 26. […] Bangor Daily News Posted November 17, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy White House says Trump policies have helped Maine, but data predate pandemic Maine State Economist Amanda Rector said there are many different reasons why incomes change from year to year, making it very challenging to attribute trends to any […] Bangor Daily News Posted October 27, 2020 Tags Economy, Federal
Taxes and Budget 2021 will bring another Maine budget fight on taxes and spending Progressive groups including the Maine Center for Economic Policy are renewing an advocacy push to raise taxes on high earners in the state as a way to avoid cuts. […] Bangor Daily News Posted October 13, 2020 Tags Budget, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Both spending cuts and revenue increases must be considered to balance budget New research from the left-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy shows that lowering taxes doesn’t necessarily spur economic activity. For example, after the 2008 recession, five states, including Maine, […] Bangor Daily News Posted September 14, 2020 Tags Budget, Revenue, Taxes