Maine’s Economy Maine DOL: Workers in re-opened industries could lose unemployment if they don’t return to work According to recent calculations made by the Maine Center for Economic Policy, more than 108,520 Mainers have filed for unemployment over five weeks, putting the state unemployment […] Beacon Posted April 30, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economy, Federal
Maine’s Economy Beacon podcast: Maine’s pandemic recession will be fastest, deepest in modern history Sarah Austin of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins the podcast this week to discuss her new report on the economic ramifications of the pandemic on Maine and […] Beacon Posted April 3, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economy, Recession
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Focus on Collins as Senate makes paid sick days a sticking point in coronavirus response On Saturday, the U.S. House approved an emergency package providing free testing for the COVID-19 virus, enhanced unemployment benefits, and two weeks of paid sick days for just some […] Beacon Posted March 17, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Paid Sick Days, Recession, Unemployment
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy BIW criticized for offering only unpaid leave to workers The offer of unpaid leave made by BIW, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, the U.S.’s fifth-largest defense contractor, was immediately condemned on social media. “BIW’s parent company made […] Beacon Posted March 16, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Federal, Paid Sick Days, Recession, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy Statehouse rally will push for passage of bills advancing women’s economic rights James Myall, a policy analyst with Maine Center for Economic Policy, said that women tend to see worse economic outcomes because of the expectations that society still […] Beacon Posted March 11, 2020 Tags Economy, Inequality
Taxes and Budget Rollback of LePage’s estate tax cut for multi-millionaires would raise $14 million The estate tax threshold is currently set at $5.8 million for any individual who has property in Maine, meaning that up to $5.8 million of a person’s […] Beacon Posted March 2, 2020 Tags Estate Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income Workers, small business owners deliver 2,000 petitions backing overtime pay restoration MECEP released a report Tuesday detailing the economic case for lifting the salary threshold, which includes an estimated $8.8 million annual wage boost for Maine workers. “We do see […] Beacon Posted February 12, 2020 Tags Overtime
Jobs and Income LePage staffer forced to answer same invasive questions he asked SNAP recipients Adolphsen was appointed to the Maine DHHS post by former commissioner Mary Mayhew in December 2013. One year later, the LePage administration introduced the new work requirements. According […] Beacon Posted February 12, 2020 Tags Food Insecurity, SNAP
Jobs and Income Colorado just expanded overtime protections. Will Dems in Augusta follow suit? “Colorado’s decision to restore overtime restores one of the basic promises of employment: That workers should be paid for every hour they work,” said Mario Moretto, communications […] Beacon Posted January 27, 2020 Tags Job Quality, Overtime
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Portland MLK dinner gives hundreds ‘reality check’ on racial injustice, tribal sovereignty Outside of slavery, animosity towards Mainers of color assumed other familiar and far-reaching forms. Low wages and disproportionately higher incarceration rates have left people of color empty […] Beacon Posted January 21, 2020 Tags Health Care, Inequality, Racial Equity, Wages