Health Care Letter: Complicated and overpriced health care systems needs overhaul A single universal system would be simpler and more affordable. Indeed, a study by the Maine Center for Economic Policy in 2019 demonstrated how a state-based healthcare system could […] Bangor Daily News Posted December 1, 2021 Tags Health Care, Inequality
Jobs and Income After pandemic exposed Maine’s frayed safety net, report details best policy solutions The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that policymakers must take steps to improve working conditions and ensure greater racial and economic equity, according to a new report […] Beacon Posted November 9, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Unemployment
Jobs and Income Economic burden of the COVID-19 pandemic falls hardest on Mainers of color The pandemic shined a lens on existing racial and gender disparities in Maine and throughout the country during the pandemic, highlighting large differences in access to jobs […] Bangor Daily News Posted November 9, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Unemployment
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy New Report & Press Event: State of Working Maine 2021 AUGUSTA, MAINE — The experiences of frontline workers during the pandemic offer lessons beyond the immediate public health threat, according to a new report released today by the Maine […] Posted November 4, 2021 Tags Caregiving, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Economy, Employment, Inequality, Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Days, Racial Equity, Unemployment, Unions, Wages
Jobs and Income Progress for Maine Workers in the first part of the 130th Legislature After a particularly difficult year for Maine workers — during which many people labored under intense pressure and the looming threat of the COVID-19 pandemic — the […] James Myall Posted September 1, 2021 Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Paid Sick Days, Wages
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget Investing in state employees will grow Maine’s economy and address the gender pay gap A busy legislative session wrapped up with an urgent issue unresolved: the future of public sector work in Maine. After years of being underpaid and working in […] Arthur Phillips Posted August 12, 2021 Tags Budget, Economy, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Taxes and Budget Maine Voices: Federal relief funds should target Mainers hit hardest by the pandemic Beyond channeling resources into Maine communities and households, these federal recovery dollars have the potential to address inequality and spur a recovery that fixes the cracks in […] Portland Press Herald Posted July 14, 2021 Tags Budget, Economic Security, Federal, Inequality
Jobs and Income Governor Mills has chance to transform protections for Maine workers On Wednesday, the Maine legislature passed LD 1711, “An Act To Enhance Enforcement of Employment Laws.” Now heading to the Governor’s desk for her signature, the bill would allow private […] James Myall Posted July 8, 2021 Tags Coronavirus, Federal, Inequality, Job Quality, Wages
Taxes and Budget Wealth tax bill addresses defects in our tax code and would increase funding for local services and affordable housing Ensuring fair taxation of wealth should always be a priority, and the pandemic has revealed just how important it is. Mostly low-wage workers on the frontlines of […] Sarah Austin Posted May 24, 2021 Tags Housing, Inequality, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Health Care Dr. Evans introduces legislation to improve health coverage enrollment process According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2019, 8.1 percent of Maine people, or more than 100,000 residents, were uninsured, a number that has almost certainly gone up […] The Piscataquis Observer Posted May 13, 2021 Tags Health Care, Immigration, Inequality