Taxes and Budget Maine budget surpluses rekindle GOP calls for income tax cuts The final proposal from Republicans did not specify a particular tax cut, but they had been lobbying to reduce rates for Maine’s lowest income tax bracket from […] Bangor Daily News Posted April 28, 2023 Tags Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Report: Maine’s direct care system is facing a crisis due to poor pay and low staffing Stubbornly low wages have left the direct care workforce in Maine in a “fragile state,” leading to a significant labor shortage that has resulted in fewer available […] Beacon Posted April 27, 2023 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Low pay for direct care workers is costing Maine millions, according to report Undervaluing the direct care workforce in Maine is costing the state millions each year, according to a new report from the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy. […] Maine Public Posted April 27, 2023 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine could finally expand overtime pay for thousands of workers James Myall, a policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy, told lawmakers that the group estimates that about 26,000 additional salaried workers in the for-profit […] Beacon Posted April 26, 2023 Tags Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime
Jobs and Income ‘We’re responsible for the history we make:’ Lawmakers push for migrant labor rights Maine is not the only state where lawmakers are trying to expand rights for farmworkers. Currently, 12 states guarantee collective bargaining rights to such workers. And in […] Beacon Posted April 19, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Immigration, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Taxes and Budget On Tax Day, Mainers argue everyone ‘deserves a slice,’ call for wealthy to pay their fair share The amount corporations currently pay in state taxes is opaque, although it is estimated that Maine gives away over a billion dollars in tax breaks to businesses […] Beacon Posted April 18, 2023 Tags Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Stronger Maine child tax credit is key for a more prosperous future At a time when rising costs for housing and child care are stressing family budgets, many working families are struggling to afford everyday essentials. By helping families […] Bangor Daily News Posted April 18, 2023 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security
Jobs and Income Fight for fair work scheduling returns to Maine Legislature “Say you work at a national retail chain,” Arthur Phillips, a MECEP policy analyst, posed a hypothetical to lawmakers. “Last week, you worked the closing shift on […] Beacon Posted April 10, 2023 Tags Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income Maine lawmakers pledge to help fund child care during State House event A recent report by the Legal Services Corporation shows 92% of low-income Americans can’t afford an attorney and usually have inadequate or no representation in their legal […] NewsCenter Maine Posted April 9, 2023 Tags Immigration, Inclusive Economy, Incomes, Inequality
Taxes and Budget Op-ed: We all pay the price for ineffective corporate tax giveaways The cost of ill-conceived and opaque subsidies is high. Business tax giveaways shift costs onto taxpayers, take money from other important priorities and perpetuate wealth inequality by […] MaineBiz Posted April 4, 2023 Tags Budget, Revenue, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes