Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Lawmakers should use surplus revenue to help Mainers who need it most “Policies that get cash in the hands of the households that need it most have been central to reducing economic harm and fueling a faster recovery. Maine lawmakers, following the […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 21, 2021 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Inequality, Racial Equity, Revenue, Seniors, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Higher taxes on corporations and the wealthiest can secure a lasting recovery for Maine “The Build Back Better legislation offers our members of Congress and senators a chance to deliver real results for Mainers. It’s a chance to lift children out of […] Bangor Daily News Posted September 6, 2021 Tags Budget, Federal, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Maine Voices: Federal relief funds should target Mainers hit hardest by the pandemic Beyond channeling resources into Maine communities and households, these federal recovery dollars have the potential to address inequality and spur a recovery that fixes the cracks in […] Portland Press Herald Posted July 14, 2021 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Federal, Inequality
Maine’s Economy Commentary: Pandemic relief will drive up the deficit. That’s a good thing Federal officials must do everything in their power to meet this historic moment. While some may bristle at the thought of doing or spending too much, the […] Portland Press Herald Posted May 16, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economy, Federal
Taxes and Budget Garrett Martin: Congress must act now to prevent state budget collapse The coronavirus pandemic has already spurred a jobs crisis and recession unlike anything we have ever experienced. But if the federal government does not act quickly, it will also […] Posted May 11, 2020 Tags Budget, Federal
Education, Jobs and Income Jody Harris: Maine needs a student loan bill of rights Escalating college debt and rising rates of student loan defaults threaten to derail the benefits of higher education for Maine’s families and our economy. Money that normally would […] Sun Journal Posted May 26, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Jobs and Income Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders Under its new director, the agency charged with protecting Americans from financial deception is instead planning to serve them up to some of Wall Street’s worst actors. […] Bangor Daily News Posted May 16, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection
Taxes and Budget Commentary: Local-option tax the wrong solution to Maine communities’ funding challenges Over the past decade, choices in the Legislature have caused roughly $720 million worth of budget shortfalls in towns and cities across Maine. This year, lawmakers should […] Portland Press Herald Posted April 11, 2019 Tags Local, Sales Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Paid sick days will boost Maine’s economy In “ State of Working Maine 2018,” the Maine Center for Economic Policy outlined the evidence proving how a lack of paid sick leave hurts our state. This […] Bangor Daily News Posted February 21, 2019 Tags Economy, Job Quality, Paid Sick Days
Taxes and Budget Republicans want to pay for their huge tax cuts with cuts to Social Security and health care When Congress was on the cusp of passing the Republican tax plan last year, experts lined up to warn about the effect the plan would have on the federal […] Bangor Daily News Posted November 6, 2018 Tags Health Care, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes