Education, Maine’s Economy Student debt relief bond should include targeted aid to Mainers most at risk for default Higher education is a boon to both graduates and Maine’s economy. It increases degree holders’ lifetime earnings, improves business competitiveness, and spurs consumer spending. But escalating college debt and rising rates […] Jody Harris Posted May 9, 2019 Tags Education, Student Debt
Education Debt-free community college would make college more accessible, boost Maine's economy Access to a college education remains the best way for Mainers to boost their lifetime earnings and economic well-being. Yet too often, the cost of college is […] James Myall Posted May 7, 2019 Tags Education, Higher Education, Student Debt
Taxes and Budget Analysis: Legislature must raise revenue to fill shortfalls from LePage-era tax cuts Summary: Click here to read this complete policy brief For years, Maine has fallen short on its commitments to fund public schools and make robust investments in our local communities. This year, legislators can […] Sarah Austin Posted February 28, 2019 Tags Budget, Education, Municipal Revenue Sharing, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Mills Budget Provides More School Funding, Fails to Fully Fund Revenue Sharing & Keeps LePage’s Tax Cuts The liberal-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) praised Mills for her support for Medicaid expansion, but criticized the proposal for failing to reverse LePage’s income tax […] The Free Press Posted February 14, 2019 Tags Budget, Education, Revenue, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Mills’ budget proposal prioritizes health, education while leaving LePage’s tax cuts for the wealthy Some policy analysts who believe the proposal is moderate in scope hope lawmakers will press the new governor to take a bolder stance as the budget debate […] Beacon Posted February 8, 2019 Tags Budget, Education, Health Care, Tax Breaks, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Mills avoids tax hikes, boosts school aid in $8 billion spending plan hit from left and right The half-measures in the budget will frustrate progressives. The Maine Center for Economic Policy advocated a budget outline that would use surpluses and a $518 million income […] Bangor Daily News Posted February 8, 2019 Tags Budget, Education, Taxes
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy State of Working Maine 2018 Contents Editor’s note: State of Working Maine 2018 contains extensive endnotes and citations not reflected in this online version of the report. To see the complete report […] James Myall Posted November 19, 2018 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Education, Employment, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Taxes and Budget Think tank releases blueprint to fully fund education, Medicaid & lower property taxes “To provide the necessary $320 million to fully fund public schools, $110.5 million for the state’s share of Medicaid expansion and $213 million to lower property taxes […] The Free Press Posted September 21, 2018 Tags Budget, Education, Medicaid, Property Tax
Education, Taxes and Budget Maine teachers spend millions of their own dollars on classroom basics Maine’s teachers spent at least $4.2 million out of their own pockets on basic school supplies in 2016, the most recent year for which we have data, […] James Myall Posted September 13, 2018 Tags Education, Taxes, Wages
Education MaineBiz: MECEP supports LePage/Grohman student debt relief effort From the article: James Myall, a policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, described the bill “as a promising initiative to start addressing these economic problems.” […] MaineBiz Posted March 19, 2018 Tags Education, Higher Education, Student Debt