Taxes and Budget Targeted investments and targeted tax relief should be on table with yet another surplus “The state can use this surplus to remove barriers that currently hold people back from fully participating in and benefiting from our economy,” said Sarah Austin, director […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 1, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Advocates call for Maine’s $139M surplus to be invested in housing, other critical needs Last week, MECEP released its annual “State of Working Maine” report that details how a lack of childcare, healthcare, support for immigrants and decades of under-production of […] Beacon Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Report: Childcare, housing shortages preventing Maine jobs from being filled A new report shows how a lack of childcare, healthcare, affordable housing, and support for immigrants is exacerbating Maine’s labor market crunch. Policymakers have long seen a demographic problem […] Beacon Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Housing
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Advocates say projected revenue surplus should be spent on housing, childcare and other social services “The state can use this surplus to remove barriers that currently hold people back from fully participating in and benefiting from our economy,” said Sarah Austin, director […] Maine Morning Star Posted November 29, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Revenue
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Maine projected to have $265M in additional revenue through 2025 The liberal Maine Center for Economic Policy said the Democratic-controlled Legislature should prioritize creating more affordable housing and boosting wages in education, child care and direct care […] Bangor Daily News Posted November 28, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Economic Security, Economy, Housing
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Maine expects $265 million budget surplus over 2 years MECEP Policy Director Sarah Austin called for additional investments in housing and wages for teachers, child care providers and direct care workers. “Maine has the resources to […] Portland Press Herald Posted November 28, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Housing, Revenue
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine's Workforce Download the PDF: Full Report Summary Stories The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce. In 2003, approximately 3 percent of jobs in Maine […] James Myall Posted November 20, 2023 Tags Affordable Care Act, Budget, Caregiving, Child Care, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Education, Housing, Immigration, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Jobs and Income More parents opting to leave workforce completely due to childcare costs The Maine Center for Economic Policy reports that from last year to February of this year 24,000 Mainers cited lack of available childcare as the primary reason […] NewsCenter Maine Posted September 28, 2023 Tags Child Care, Employment, Unemployment
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Maine employers step up to relieve child care pressures on working parents “For those big employers who have the resources to keep high standards for workers to help people afford the cost of child care, that’s a positive thing. […] Sun Journal Posted September 10, 2023 Tags Child Care
Taxes and Budget Maine's budget provides historic supports and fortifies the foundation for a strong economy This week Governor Mills signed the “part two budget” that makes historic investments — establishing a paid family and medical leave program for Maine, committing over $100 […] Sarah Austin Posted July 13, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Education, Employment, Family and Medical Leave, Health Care, Housing, Jobs, Seniors, Tax Fairness, Wages