Education MECEP statement on passage of bill to empower students AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) applauds the Maine Senate for voting today to reform the harmful practice of transcript withholding. “College education is […] Posted March 9, 2022 Tags Education, Student Debt
Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on passage of bill to stop corporate tax scheme AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) applauds the Maine House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote today to prevent big box retailers from using a tax scheme called […] Posted March 9, 2022 Tags Dark Stores, Economy, Property Tax, Tax Fairness
Taxes and Budget ‘Dark store theory’ leaves local residents paying more than their fair share in taxes Even if you have never heard of the “dark store theory,” odds are you’re paying the price for it. While everyday Mainers and small business owners pay […] Bangor Daily News Posted March 7, 2022 Tags Budget, Dark Stores, Local, Property Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on state surplus budget proposal AUGUSTA, Maine — Garrett Martin, president & CEO at the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), released the following statement in reaction to Gov. Mills’ proposed allocation of Maine’s […] Posted March 3, 2022 Tags Budget, Economy, Income Tax
Taxes and Budget Opinion: Maine’s leaders must make the most out of historic surplus When a state’s budget fully invests in its people and communities, everyone benefits. Today, Maine has a surplus and policymakers have an opportunity to improve people’s lives, get our […] Beacon Posted March 2, 2022 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget LePage income tax plan punishes poor while enriching wealthy Mainers, advocates say However, economic reports show that LePage-style economics significantly increase taxes for the bottom 80% of Maine families while enriching the wealthiest. In some instances under LePage’s tax policies, Maine’s […] Beacon Posted February 22, 2022 Tags Income Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Dems looking to add housing, behavioral health funding to budget proposal Some analysts say that while the direct checks will likely prove popular in an election year, the effects will be short lived. “While $500 can mean a […] Beacon Posted February 18, 2022 Tags Budget, Health Care, Housing
Jobs and Income LePage admits Medicaid expansion ‘good for Maine,’ but still wants cuts to program James Myall, a policy analyst with Maine Center for Economic Policy, estimates that roughly 86,000 Mainers currently enrolled in MaineCare would be subject to the requirement if […] Beacon Posted February 17, 2022 Tags Health Care, Job Quality, Medicaid
Maine’s Economy Maine businesses and residents feel inflation’s bite Inflation is an economywide problem, but much of the harm will fall on those already struggling to make ends meet, said Arthur Phillips, economic policy analyst at […] Portland Press Herald Posted February 14, 2022 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Inequality
Taxes and Budget Mills touts one-time payment in address, glosses over housing, overdose, climate crises Some progressive groups criticized the proposal for not prioritizing those Mainers most in need at a time when Maine has seen a dramatic increase in wealth among the state’s […] Beacon Posted February 11, 2022 Tags Budget