Feasibility and Impact of Guaranteed Income in Maine
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
2M ago
Download the PDF: FULL REPORT Executive Summary A great need exists in Maine for the kind of financial support guaranteed income could provide: reliable and periodic payments throughout the year, helping to smooth over recipients’ income volatility and better budget their finances. Evidence shows guaranteed income pilots benefit financial, mental, and physical health and advance racial and gender equity. Evidence does not show guaranteed income provides a disincentive to work. Maine has already implemented programs like guaranteed income — the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, an ..read more
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State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine’s Workforce
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by James Myall
4M ago
Download the PDF: Full Report Summary The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce. In 2003, approximately 3 percent of jobs in Maine were unfilled — today the share has almost doubled to more than 6 percent. Over the past 20 years, the number of Mainers in the workforce has increased by just 6 percent, way below the national workforce growth of 20 percent. Maine Department of Labor projects the workforce will actually shrink by almost 78,000 people over the next decade. Without increasing the size of the workforce, it is very difficult to maintain a health ..read more
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Brief: The state of labor organizing in Maine
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
7M ago
At a glance: Labor unions play an essential role in delivering better wages, benefits, and working conditions not just for their members, but for all workers Women and people of color see even more pronounced gains in wages, retirement security, and health care coverage because of being union members Labor unions contribute to increased civic and community engagement Maine and the nation are seeing a resurgence in worker organizing across a wide range of sectors Public support of unions is at a 60 year high despite the share of workers who belong to a union continuing to lag Recent policy cha ..read more
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In the words of workers: Kate Hunter
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
7M ago
Kate shared her story as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2022 report. Click here to view the full report, as well as other workers’ stories. Kate Hunter worked in food service in breweries, pubs, and restaurants for 12 years, where it was her primary source of income. She lost her job in a Portland restaurant when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and did not return when service resumed. Kate relocated to the Skowhegan area and now works for a life-long learning platform that is a program of the Maine State Library system. “Waiting tables can be totally unpredictable. I could spend six h ..read more
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In the words of workers: Youth and Family Outreach
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
7M ago
Michelle and “Lynn” shared their stories as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2022 report. Click here to view the full report, as well as other workers’ stories. Michelle Belanger is the program coordinator at Youth and Family Outreach in Portland. The nationally accredited child care center’s 15 employees serve 58 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Michelle has worked in many different capacities during her 25 years in early childhood education, including as a Pre-K and toddler teacher. She has worked at Youth and Family Outreach for 14 years. “Since the pandemic started, I’m see ..read more
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Brief: Providing workers the support they need to enter and stay in the labor force
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
10M ago
At a glance Maine has more jobs now than before the pandemic Labor force participation has mostly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels but is not adequate to keep pace with job growth and shifts in the labor force Tens of thousands of workers remain out of the labor force for reasons that public policies can address — particularly those focused on strengthening Maine’s care economy and the capacity of families to afford care and meet basic needs Now is the time to make investments that address structural challenges for Maine’s workers and employers, and foster greater long-term economic vitality ..read more
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Policy Brief: Are tax giveaways worth the money?
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by Maura Pillsbury
11M ago
Download the PDF version FULL REPORT SUMMARY Maine forgoes billions of dollars in revenue each year by giving out tax breaks. These tax giveaways are costly and sometimes poorly targeted to achieve intended outcomes. When Maine dedicates resources to unproven tax breaks, we lose funding that could be better spent to strengthen Maine’s workforce and grow our economy. Maine must raise its standards for what we expect of these programs and how they are administered, what information is available about them, and whether there is any evidence that they work. Legislators should not continue to e ..read more
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The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
1y ago
Download the PDF version full report Summary Maine’s direct care workforce is in a fragile state. Low reimbursement rates for direct care work result in low pay, poor job quality, and worsening labor shortages for care providers. The consequences of undervaluing the services direct care workers provide that allow aging people, people with behavior health challenges, and people with disabilities to live with dignity are far-reaching. Many of us or those whom we love will require the kind of support and assistance that direct care workers provide at some point in our lives. Access to stable ..read more
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MECEP Map: Economic Insights for Maine’s Legislative Districts 2023
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by James Myall
1y ago
2023 State of the Districts Dive into the data to discover the economic trends in Maine’s legislative districts, and how they compare with other regions in Maine. Zoom in on the map to find your neighborhood and click to see the trends in your House or Senate district. You can also scroll down the page to find downloadable district-level fact sheets. (Please note that given the amount of data, this tool may take a moment to load). Download District-Level Factsheets State Senate Districts State House Districts Counties State Senate Districts District 1 District 2 District 3 D ..read more
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GRAPHIC SERIES: Yes, a state budget can change lives
Maine Center for Economic Policy | Maine Budget Blog
by MECEP
1y ago
Governor Mills’ budget proposal lays the foundation for Maine people and communities. State lawmakers can strengthen Maine’s economy even more — and make sure no one gets left behind. Click here to share our full explainer post on Facebook. Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook ..read more
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