What does a vision for economic justice and shared prosperity look like?
You are invited to join us for a conversation about the opportunities and challenges the new year will provide. MECEP’s Policy Insights 2018 Conference will take place Wednesday, January 31, at the Senator Inn in Augusta.
Policy Insights 2018 will give attendees the tools to understand and influence the most important policy discussions coming up in 2018 — and an opportunity to work with policymakers, advocates, experts and MECEP’s top analysts to chart a course toward economic justice and shared prosperity in the years to come.
Tickets are $65. Limited scholarships are available. Watch here for more information.
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AGENDA:
MECEP’s Policy Insights 2018 Conference will give you the tools and information you need to understand and influence the most important policy discussions coming up in 2018 and beyond. But unlike other conferences, you will also be active participants in the day’s discussions. You will have multiple opportunities to identify solutions and lay the groundwork for policies to bolster economic justice and shared prosperity.
8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. | Legislative Breakfast: Data for Your District *For lawmakers only*
Each legislator in attendance will be given district-level summaries of key trends based on MECEP analysis of available data. MECEP staff will be on hand to discuss the data and answer questions.
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Registration
Coffee and light breakfast available for participants.
9 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. | Opening Remarks and Workshop I: Developing a Vision for the Future
MECEP Executive Director Garrett Martin will kick off the conference and pose the big question: What is our shared vision for the future? Attendees will have a chance to offer their goals for Maine’s economy ten years from now.
9:40 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. | Workshop II: Assessing the Lay of the Land
MECEP Policy Analyst James Myall will discuss the trends shaping Maine’s economy today and provide an overview of key indicators to consider in determining the success of Maine’s economy.
10:50 to 11 a.m. | Break
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.| Plenary: Facing Resource Realities as We Build the Future
Robust, smart public investment is necessary to grow Maine’s economy. How have policy decisions at the local, state and federal levels supported or undermined Mainers’ economic security? MECEP Policy Analyst Sarah Austin and Associate Director Jody Harris will discuss the implications of federal and state tax and budget policy on Mainers and Maine’s future.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Working Lunch / Workshop III: Audacious Ideas
Given the economic trends and resource realities, what are the bold policy ideas that will help turn our vision into reality? Attendees will work in small groups to outline their “Big Ideas” for how to achieve economic justice and shared prosperity. Each group will have the opportunity to present their plan to the conference.
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | Panel Q&A: Turning Ideas into Action
Sound analysis must form the basis of any successful policy reform. But our success depends on our ability to talk about our vision, build political power, and organize. Our panel of experts will discuss proven tactics for turning Big Ideas into Big Action. They will share insights on the challenges along the way and their perspective on how progressives can effectively pursue their work.
2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Presentation: What’s next?
MECEP staff will present the organization’s policy agenda for 2018 and beyond, and discuss how current debates will shape the organization’s work for the future. Executive Director Garrett Martin will close the conference.
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Cocktail Hour and Networking
Appetizers and cash bar.
