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

Trump's weak debt collector rules would leave Mainers vulnerable to harassment and scams

Robo-calls from unrecognized or blocked numbers, calling for payments that we don’t owe. Collection agencies calling multiple times per day, failing to identify themselves, lying about what’s […]

Jody Harris

Posted July 24, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Federal

Education

Student debt collection reform, for-profit college rules top wins for Maine consumers this year

While President Donald Trump’s administration continues its efforts to systemically roll back consumer protections, Maine has made moves to protect residents and ward off financial predators. Maine’s […]

Jody Harris

Posted July 17, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Education, Higher Education, Student Debt

Education, Jobs and Income

‘Student Loan Bill of Rights’ will protect Maine students from predatory lenders

“This bill will prevent giant financial corporations from padding their bottom lines by preying on Mainers who just want to responsibly pay down their student debt,” Maine […]

Beacon

Posted June 11, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

Education, Jobs and Income

STATEMENT: Student Loan Bill of Rights will protect Mainers from predatory Wall Street corporations

CONTACT Mario Moretto mario@mecep.org 207-620-1101 AUGUSTA, Maine — Jody Harris, associate director of Maine Center for Economic Policy, released the following statement following the Legislature’s enactment Monday […]

Posted June 10, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

Education, Jobs and Income

Jody Harris: Maine needs a student loan bill of rights

Escalating college debt and rising rates of student loan defaults threaten to derail the benefits of higher education for Maine’s families and our economy. Money that normally would […]

Sun Journal

Posted May 26, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

Jobs and Income

Even GOP Voters Are Applauding AOC and Sanders for Taking on Lenders

Five states have now passed referenda limiting payday loans: South Dakota, Ohio, Arizona, Montana, and this past November, Colorado. There, voters overwhelmingly passed a measure capping interest rates at […]

Truthout

Posted May 16, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection

Jobs and Income

Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders

Under its new director, the agency charged with protecting Americans from financial deception is instead planning to serve them up to some of Wall Street’s worst actors. […]

Bangor Daily News

Posted May 16, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection

Education, Maine’s Economy

Maine borrowers need a Student Loan Bill of Rights as protection from predatory loan companies

We all have heard the numbers about escalating student loan debt across the country. Maine is no exception. Residents of our state carry more than $6 billion […]

Jody Harris

Posted March 26, 2019

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

Education

Predatory practices increase Mainers' student debt and financial troubles

Mainers are carrying nearly $6 billion in education debt. Large figures like that can be difficult to wrap our heads around, so think of it this way: […]

Jody Harris

Posted December 19, 2018

Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt

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Facing income crunch from coronavirus, debt-burdened Americans need relief now

Trump's weak debt collector rules would leave Mainers vulnerable to harassment and scams

Student debt collection reform, for-profit college rules top wins for Maine consumers this year

‘Student Loan Bill of Rights’ will protect Maine students from predatory lenders

STATEMENT: Student Loan Bill of Rights will protect Mainers from predatory Wall Street corporations

Jody Harris: Maine needs a student loan bill of rights

Even GOP Voters Are Applauding AOC and Sanders for Taking on Lenders

Consumer protection bureau is moving to expose Mainers to predatory payday lenders

Maine borrowers need a Student Loan Bill of Rights as protection from predatory loan companies

Predatory practices increase Mainers' student debt and financial troubles