Taxes and Budget New “continuing services budget” provides stable foundation for future planning Last Friday the appropriations committee approved an $11.5 billion “continuing services” budget to continue state operations at a more-or-less flat level for the next two years. While […] James Myall Posted March 20, 2025 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Economic Security, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Medicaid, Wages
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Maine shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of direct care workers At a glance: Proposed budget cuts would lower direct care labor reimbursements, reducing pay and worsening workforce shortages Low wages for direct care professionals already impose significant […] Arthur Phillips Posted March 5, 2025 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Maine must invest in child care, not cut it At a glance: Proposed budget cuts to child care funding will reduce wages for child care workers, limit child care availability, and weaken Maine’s economy Child care […] Arthur Phillips Posted March 3, 2025 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Children, Direct Care Work, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Advocates warn proposed stipend cuts for child care workers will harm industry The progressive leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy estimates that the $30 million cut proposed by governor Janet Mills will reduce the average earnings for nearly 7,500 […] Maine Public Posted January 29, 2025 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care
Taxes and Budget Day care providers raise alarm about Gov. Mills' budget proposal The Maine Center for Economic Policy says the child care cuts would save the state $15 million a year and reduce the average child care worker’s annual […] WMTW Posted January 29, 2025 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Wages
Jobs and Income While supportive of Medicaid funding, public pushes back on cuts in Mills’ short-term budget fix Last year, the Maine Center for Economic Policy in partnership with the Maine Council on Aging released a report that found sizable gaps already exist between care needed and […] Maine Morning Star Posted January 24, 2025 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine speaker seeks higher wages for health care workers The push for higher pay among direct care workers who work in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and behavioral health facilities is backed by the Maine Center for […] The Center Square Posted January 23, 2025 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine Speaker proposes bill to boost wages for direct care workers The Maine Center for Economic Policy estimates that Maine needs 2,300 more direct care workers to meet the state’s demand. A raise could help recruit more workers. […] WGME Posted January 14, 2025 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Job Quality, Wages
Jobs and Income Commission recommends more caregiving support to address Maine’s persistent gender disparities Women are more likely to work part-time roles or drop out of the workforce altogether in order to care for family members when such services aren’t available. […] Maine Morning Star Posted December 12, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work
Jobs and Income In the words of workers: Lori Lori shared her story as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2024 report. Click here to read the full report. Lori is the owner of a small neighborhood […] MECEP Posted October 23, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Seniors, Stories