Jobs and Income Maine urged to raise wages for home health aides, long-term care workers The Maine Center for Economic Policy recommends that health support workers be paid at least 140% of minimum wage, or $19.80 per hour. Click here to read […] Portland Press Herald Posted June 18, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs
Jobs and Income Maine seniors shorted more than 23,500 hours of direct care each week The report, produced by the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy in partnership with the Maine Council on Aging, picks up where last year’s study on direct […] Maine Morning Star Posted June 18, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs
Health Care, Jobs and Income Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It Download the PDF version full report Summary Stories Today in Maine, thousands of older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with behavioral health challenges do not receive […] Arthur Phillips Posted June 17, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Employment, Health Care, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income Mainers unable to find caregivers for all authorized home care hours Eliminating the waitlist — even temporarily — is still progress, according to Arthur Phillips, the economic policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy. “It represents […] The Maine Monitor Posted June 15, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs
Taxes and Budget Lawmakers can do better for Maine workers, families and communities Elected leaders in Maine strengthen our communities and address economic challenges through legislation. The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce and to solve it we […] Bangor Daily News Posted May 22, 2024 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, K-12 Education, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Unemployment, Wages
Taxes and Budget Unfunded bills are unfinished work The legislature has passed a supplemental budget, but its work for this year remains far from done. Both legislative chambers have approved dozens of bills and they […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2024 Tags Child Care, Direct Care Work, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Racial Equity, Wages
Taxes and Budget Statement on supplemental budget AUGUSTA, Maine — Garrett Martin, president & CEO at the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), released the following statement in reaction to the budget approved by […] Posted April 23, 2024 Tags Budget, Child Care, Corporate Power, Direct Care Work, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes, Wages
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Biden administration touts bonuses to direct care workers in Maine Sperling also highlighted Maine’s decision to use state funds to boost wages for direct care workers to at least 125% of the minimum wage. According to a […] Maine Public Posted December 12, 2023 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work
Jobs and Income At-home aide crisis leaves Mainers to age alone, 'die early' “The direct care workforce in Maine is in a fragile state,” Maine Center for Economic Policy Analyst Josie Phillips said. Phillips released a report this year which […] Fox 23 Posted December 6, 2023 Tags Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Wages
Jobs and Income Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been steady gains in the overall output of Maine’s economy and workforce, employment levels, and wages for people […] James Myall Posted July 31, 2023 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Fair Scheduling, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages