On anniversary of ARPA, 8,000 children will likely be pushed back into poverty without expanded Child Tax Credit New analysis also shows Maine stands to lose $70,750,000 in additional economic activity each month without payments to parents. Friday is the first anniversary of the American […] Posted March 11, 2022 Tags ARPA, Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Federal
Taxes and Budget Opinion: Maine’s leaders must make the most out of historic surplus When a state’s budget fully invests in its people and communities, everyone benefits. Today, Maine has a surplus and policymakers have an opportunity to improve people’s lives, get our […] Beacon Posted March 2, 2022 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Economy, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Making the most of Maine's historic surplus When a state’s budget fully invests in its people and communities, everyone benefits. Today, Maine has a surplus and policymakers have an opportunity to improve people’s lives, […] Sarah Austin Posted March 1, 2022 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Education, Health Care, Job Quality, Paid Sick Days
Maine’s Economy Equal footing for Maine tribes At its core, tribal sovereignty is about fairness. LD 1626, “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement […] James Myall Posted February 25, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Inequality, Racial Equity, Tax Fairness
Jobs and Income Surveys show strong support and widespread need for paid family and medical leave Maine’s Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program recently solicited public feedback through two separate surveys of employees and employers on the need […] James Myall Posted February 22, 2022 Tags Children, Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Paid Sick Days
Education To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding College education is a critical tool for Mainers to boost their income and for a stronger economy. We should be seeking opportunities to support students, especially individuals from households with […] Arthur Phillips Posted February 15, 2022 Tags Consumer Protection, Economic Security, Education, Higher Education
Maine’s Economy Maine businesses and residents feel inflation’s bite Inflation is an economywide problem, but much of the harm will fall on those already struggling to make ends meet, said Arthur Phillips, economic policy analyst at […] Portland Press Herald Posted February 14, 2022 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Inequality
Taxes and Budget How corporations made inflation worse and why Build Back Better could help Fortunately, the rising costs of energy, cars and a host of other goods show signs of easing in the year ahead. The price of gas peaked in November at […] Bangor Daily News Posted January 28, 2022 Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Federal
Taxes and Budget Should Maine give extra tax revenue back? Sarah Austin of the Maine Center for Economic Policy, a liberal advocacy group, told the committee Maine still has too many unmet needs to give checks or […] NewsCenter Maine Posted January 12, 2022 Tags Caregiving, Children, Economic Security, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on LD 327, An Act To Return Surplus Money to Maine Taxpayers AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) is releasing the following statement in opposition to LD 327, An Act To Return Surplus Money to Maine […] Posted January 12, 2022 Tags Coronavirus, Economic Security, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes