Maine’s Economy Evictions and foreclosures increase coronavirus risks. A rent and mortgage freeze will protect us. The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States has triggered an unprecedented economic downturn. Businesses are closing, workers are losing their jobs, and families face […] James Myall Posted April 7, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Housing
Maine’s Economy Facing income crunch from coronavirus, debt-burdened Americans need relief now As tens of thousands of Mainers face lays offs and unemployment, two things will happen: With no earnings coming in, they will default on their loans and […] Jody Harris Posted April 7, 2020 Tags Consumer Protection, Coronavirus, Student Debt
Maine’s Economy Federal action means help for out-of-work Mainers as unemployment claims continue to break records On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act into law. The $1.8 trillion package contains a number of provisions […] James Myall Posted April 2, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy REPORT: Economic downturn from Coronavirus will dwarf Great Recession, demands bold policy response UPDATE (April 30, 2020): As confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise and the coronavirus pandemic continues to rock the economy, several of the indicators in this report have […] Sarah Austin Posted April 1, 2020 Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Economy, Federal, Recession, Revenue
Maine’s Economy REPORT: Policy priorities for the federal response to COVID-19's economic fallout As the coronavirus pushes the nation into a recession, the response by federal policymakers will determine the extent of the economic harm on families and small businesses. […] James Myall Posted March 26, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Recession
Maine’s Economy Federal coronavirus relief law provides free testing, paid leave, and additional food assistance President Trump signed into law Thursday an emergency relief bill to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures […] James Myall Posted March 19, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal
Jobs and Income Maine’s omnibus coronavirus response law will help workers, small businesses facing income loss On Tuesday, the Maine Legislature approved an omnibus package of measures aimed at responding to the health and economic impacts of coronavirus. Governor Janet Mills signed the bill into law on Wednesday. The […] James Myall Posted March 19, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Unemployment
Taxes and Budget Maine’s new supplemental budget focuses on coronavirus response The Maine Legislature on Tuesday enacted a supplemental budget, appropriating an additional $73 million to fund key priorities before the biennial budget expires on July 1, 2021. […] Sarah Austin Posted March 18, 2020 Tags Budget, Coronavirus
Health Care ‘Patients First’ legislation would reduce some health care costs for Mainers Maine Democrats recently introduced a package of bills to reduce health care costs, curb some of the health care industry’s most egregious billing practices and ensure access to critical lifesaving medicine. The suite of bills known as the “Patients […] James Myall Posted March 11, 2020 Tags Health Care
Maine’s Economy Coronavirus highlights the need for all workers to have paid sick leave As the United States and the world grapple with the outbreak of the novel form of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control is advising […] James Myall Posted March 3, 2020 Tags Health Care, Paid Sick Days