Taxes and Budget Anti-'Tax Havens' bill gets new look as effort to close corporate loophole from Trump Tax Cuts Corporations depend on things like an educated workforce, consumers with enough income to pay for services and products, and infrastructure that facilitates commerce. As a state and […] Sarah Austin Posted March 2, 2020 Tags Tax Breaks, Taxes, Trump Tax Cuts
Maine’s Economy General Fund dollars are no solution for Maine's transportation needs Maine faces an annual shortfall of $232 million annually to fund priority transportation infrastructure projects, with the largest unmet needs in bridge projects and highway reconstruction. This […] James Myall Posted February 28, 2020 Tags Bonds, Infrastructure, Taxes
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Policy Brief: To address wealth inequality, Maine must strengthen its estate tax More and more of society’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few families. At the same time, taxes that target the wealthy have been slashed, […] Sarah Austin Posted February 27, 2020 Tags Estate Tax, Inequality, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Maine’s Economy Proposed “Whistleblower” law will help restore workers’ right to hold bad bosses accountable Maine’s lawmakers are revisiting a bill introduced in 2019 that would restore the legal rights of workers trapped in a rigged system that prevents them from having […] James Myall Posted February 24, 2020 Tags Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Wages
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Policy Basic: Bonds are a vital tool for investing in the public good A strong and thriving economy depends on long-term investments in roads and bridges, clean water and schools, and other public goods that benefit people and businesses now and in the […] Jody Harris Posted February 21, 2020 Tags Bonds, Infrastructure
Maine’s Economy Fair Chance Employment Act will help reverse racial disparities and reduce likelihood of recidivism Getting and keeping a job is a critical element of economic security, particularly for Mainers who face barriers to opportunity and prosperity. That includes Mainers with criminal […] James Myall Posted February 20, 2020 Tags Employment
Taxes and Budget Federal aid makes up one-third of Maine's budget. Trump's budget plan threatens that funding. President Donald Trump’s 2021 budget proposal paints a crystal-clear picture of his his vision for the country. That vision starts with a plethora of funding cuts that […] Mario Moretto Posted February 13, 2020 Tags Budget, Federal
Maine’s Economy REPORT: Overtime bill would guarantee living wages for workers with long hours A bill before the Maine Legislature would give middle-class Mainers a much-needed raise by restoring lost overtime protections for 28,000 workers. The bill — LD 402, “An […] James Myall Posted February 11, 2020 Tags Overtime, Wages
Taxes and Budget Maine's Legislature has a chance to stop corporations like Walmart from using 'dark store theory' to rig the property tax code Big-box chains benefit from the fire and police protection and infrastructure provided by our municipalities. Their employees and their children benefit from the public education provided by […] Sarah Austin Posted February 6, 2020 Tags Property Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Proposed family caregiver credit would recognize Mainers for millions of hours of unpaid labor Maine’s patchwork system of professional caregivers is inadequate to meet the needs of every resident with long-term care needs. To fill these needs, Mainers step up to […] Sarah Austin Posted February 6, 2020 Tags Caregiving, Wages