Report: Policies boosting race equity in Maine would add jobs, income

Maine policies that advance race equity and undo racism in employment would boost the state’s economy, adding millions of dollars in economic activity and thousands of jobs, claims a report released Thursday by the Maine Center for Economic Policy.

The State of Working Maine 2020 points to untapped economic opportunities from closing the racial hiring gap in Maine, and also concludes that systemic racism in hiring keeps workers of color from achieving their full income potential. That has ripple effects into housing, health care and more. Many people of color in Maine also work at jobs where they’re more likely to be underpaid and not eligible for overtime and other income boosts.

Click here to read the full story, first published November 13, 2020, in MaineBiz.