Jobs and Income Midterms Voters Turned Out for Progressive Economic Solutions Portland, Maine: Voters rejected Question D, which would have raised the overall minimum wage to $18 by 2025 and eliminated the subminimum wage for tipped work. The measure would […] Common Dreams Posted November 18, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Incomes, Minimum Wage, Wages
Taxes and Budget Everything You Need To Know About Maine Stimulus Checks “As housing, food, and energy costs have increased, the stimulus checks will be a big help for low-income households struggling to cover higher costs,” says Sarah Austin, […] Nasdaq Posted November 15, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Incomes
Maine’s Economy U.S. Trans Survey is a vital resource for the transgender community and policymakers All Mainers benefit when the best information is available to develop policy solutions that address discrimination and inequities in the state. Unfortunately, despite widespread recognition of the […] Josie Phillips Posted September 22, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Gender, Inclusive Economy, Incomes, Inequality, Jobs
Taxes and Budget Tax freeze program fails to focus on older Mainers who need it most All older Mainers deserve access to safe and affordable housing, without the fear of being unable to pay their bills or losing their home as they age. […] Maura Pillsbury Posted September 8, 2022 Tags Economy, Housing, Income Tax, Incomes, Property Tax, Seniors, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Pension exemptions benefit wealthy households and compromise resources This year, lawmakers included a tax change in the state’s budget that will significantly expand tax benefits for pension recipients in Maine. Beginning in 2023, pension recipients […] Sarah Austin Posted August 25, 2022 Tags Income Tax, Incomes, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Education Federal student debt cancellation helps 177,000 Mainers who need help the most Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) celebrates President Biden’s plan to forgive federal student loans — up to $20,000 for people who went to college on Pell […] Posted August 24, 2022 Tags Economic Security, Economy, Education, Federal, Incomes, Jobs, Racial Equity, Student Debt
Taxes and Budget Earned Income Tax Credit expansion provides greater economic security for working families We all want expanded opportunities for our communities and to ensure our neighbors have the support they need to be stable and secure. But corporations are raising […] Sarah Austin Posted May 16, 2022 Tags EITC, Incomes, Poverty, Tax Fairness
MECEP report shows the Child Tax Credit made a tangible difference for Maine families The improved and expanded monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) has been one of the most successful and popular American Rescue Plan Act programs, providing flexibility to parents […] MECEP Posted May 13, 2022 Tags Child Tax Credit, Children, Economic Security, Economy, Incomes, Poverty
Education, Jobs and Income Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education Last week, President Biden stated he is considering cancelling some amount of student debt and expects to make a decision on the issue in the coming weeks.1 […] Arthur Phillips Posted May 10, 2022 Tags Education, Employment, Housing, Incomes, Inequality, Jobs, Racial Equity, Seniors, Student Debt
Jobs and Income, Taxes and Budget Income of wealthiest in Maine nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020, report shows Sarah Austin, director of policy and research at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, said because there weren’t any big changes to the tax code between those […] Beacon Posted December 2, 2021 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Tax Fairness