Taxes and Budget Severe recession, without aid, could shrink Maine government revenue for years The potential for a deep, prolonged recession has sparked more calls from some analysts and Maine’s congressional delegation for federal stimulus that includes local government funding to […] Portland Press Herald Posted September 28, 2020 Tags Budget, Federal, Recession, Revenue
Jobs and Income Despite modest recovery, pandemic hardship lingers for tens of thousands of Mainers Tens of thousands of Maine households are still struggling to afford basic needs such as groceries and rent, according to the latest data from the US Census […] James Myall Posted September 16, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Incomes, Unemployment
Taxes and Budget Proposal to close state's $538M revenue shortfall includes call for more federal support Garrett Martin, executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy, said that the proposal “is a good attempt to bridge the revenue gap in the current […] MaineBiz Posted September 11, 2020 Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Federal, Recession, Revenue
Maine’s Economy Trump’s executive actions don’t let Senate Republicans off the hook The recent executive actions by President Donald Trump offer only a false sense of relief to the tens of thousands of Mainers who have seen their incomes […] James Myall Posted August 11, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Taxes and Budget Maine leaders urge Congress to end gridlock on COVID-19 relief package Democratic leaders and White House officials met Friday for the 10th time in 12 days, but those talks broke down again as the two sides remained hundreds of billions […] Portland Press Herald Posted August 7, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Recession, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy Co-Chairs of Legislature's budget, labor committees join laid-off workers in call for Congress to pass real COVID-19 relief Inaction by US Senate is increasing hardship for Mainers and threatens deeper, longer recession AUGUSTA, Maine — Mainers facing continued record-breaking unemployment and an unprecedented state revenue crisis […] Posted August 7, 2020 Tags Budget, Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Jobs and Income Economists say reduced unemployment benefits will worsen unprecedented revenue shortfall In addition to action at the federal level, state lawmakers can reduce the impact of the recession by passing progressive revenue policies, explained Mario Moretto, communications director […] Beacon Posted August 3, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Revenue, Unemployment
Jobs and Income As unemployment benefits expire, activists use light show to plead with Collins A recent analysis by the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) found that even with the additional $600 per week, “Mainers are facing hardships that would be made […] Beacon Posted July 31, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Susan Collins, Unemployment
Jobs and Income Data reveals return to work not affected by $600 unemployment boost There’s no relationship between expanded Unemployment Compensation payments and individuals’ likelihood of returning to work, according to two recent studies. One, by researchers at Yale University, finds that more generous UC payments are not […] James Myall Posted July 31, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Unemployment
Maine’s Economy STATEMENT: Revenue forecast shows urgent need for Congress to increase state aid Without revenue solution, state will be forced to make deep cuts that hurt Mainers and make the recession worse AUGUSTA, Maine — Sarah Austin, the lead analyst […] Posted July 29, 2020 Tags Coronavirus, Economy, Federal, Revenue