Maine’s Economy Testimony in Support of LDs 1199 and 1242 (consumer financial protection) The debt buying industry, primarily out-of-state companies, threatens and deceives consumers to collect on debts they know are inaccurate. LDs 1199 and 1242 will put in place […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 11, 2017 Tags Consumer Protection
Maine’s Economy Testimony in Opposition to LD 1164 An Act To Facilitate Small Loans in Maine Seniors, veterans, and all Maine families and individuals who are doing their best to get by in difficult times need fair and responsible resources that will truly […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 11, 2017 Tags Consumer Protection
Taxes and Budget Testimony in Support of LD 1149, An Act To Provide Revenue To Fix and Rebuild Maine's Infrastructure Maine people and businesses rely on safe, efficient roads and bridges in order to get to work, and conduct commerce. Tourism, the lifeblood of the state’s economy, […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 11, 2017 Tags Infrastructure, Revenue
Education Testimony in Support of LD 1129, An Act to Address College Affordability I would urge the committee to recognize the serious nature of the college affordability crisis in our nation and state. Please also bear in mind that college […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 10, 2017 Tags Higher Education, Student Debt
Health Care Testimony in Support of LD 1159, An Act To Support Healthy Workplaces and Healthy Families by Providing Paid Sick Leave to Certain Employees Access to paid sick time would be one of the most meaningful changes this committee could make to the lives of working Mainers. Every year, tens of […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 10, 2017 Tags Job Quality, Paid Sick Days
Taxes and Budget A Quick Take: Democrats’ Opportunity Agenda Invests in Maine Families, Kids, Communities Yesterday, House and Senate Democrats rolled out a budget proposal that delivers where Governor LePage’s budget failed. We’ll be diving into the details in the coming days […] Megan Michaud Posted April 7, 2017 Tags Budget, Children, Poverty, Taxes
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to Three Bills to Alter the Minimum Wage Law Passed by Voters in November 2016 Seven states have already removed the special exemption from minimum wages known as the “tip credit” (Alaska, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington). Federal Earnings data show […] Mark Sullivan Posted April 5, 2017 Tags Minimum Wage
Jobs and Income Testimony in Opposition to: LD 774, 775, 778, 831, 971, 991, 1005 The potential benefits of the recent minimum wage increase could be jeopardized for workers, families, children, and seniors if the proposals to eliminate indexing or reduce minimum […] Jody Harris Posted April 5, 2017 Tags Minimum Wage
Maine’s Economy A Higher Minimum Wage is Good for Tipped Workers Workers who rely on tips don’t benefit from the existence of a lower tipped minimum wage. That’s the conclusion of a variety of sources that compare the earnings of workers in those states without a “tip credit” and those which maintain one. James Myall Posted April 4, 2017 Tags Incomes, Minimum Wage, Wages
Maine’s Economy The Tipped Minimum Wage is Unfair and Discriminatory Imagine you’re a cashier at the height of flu season and three of your coworkers called in sick on a Saturday afternoon—one of the busiest times of the week. Lines are long, customers are grumpy, and your efforts to keep the line moving prevent you from being as personable as you would be under other circumstances. Despite circumstances beyond your control customers keep docking your pay. Through no fault of your own, and even though you’re doing more work, you’re going to get less pay at the end of the day. James Myall Posted April 3, 2017 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Minimum Wage, Wages