Blog
The COVID-19 crisis is revealing cracks and weak points throughout our economy, our government, and our ideas about the future. Once the crisis is behind us, Maine leaders should think deeply about the weaknesses the virus has exposed and act accordingly to build a more resilient economy and sustainable path for our state. Governor Mills […]
We often talk about a pyramid or a hierarchy of jobs, with “foundational jobs” providing the base upon which service, government and other jobs are built. While those comparisons still hold, the COVID-19 crisis is showing us just how interconnected our jobs have become, in more of a complex matrix of support and dependence. Transportation […]
As reported the Bangor Daily News, the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the consequence of Maine’s loss of foundational jobs. As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded in March, Maine’s one-week increase in unemployment claims was more than three times the national average. As Maine’s economy has shifted away from producing goods and toward service-based jobs, especially those […]
The global COVID-19 crisis is reminding us of one important truth: we are on the same team, as Mainers, as Americans and as human beings. Thus far, the Maine state government has done a good job of temporarily setting partisan politics aside and taking important steps to help Mainers in need and the economy during […]
Recently, the Maine Association of Nonprofits issued its annual report looking at the “economic impact” of Maine’s charities. Like other economic reports, it requires a bit of unpacking. There’s no question that non-profits provide valuable services to Mainers. They do sustain large payrolls, which benefit Maine families who work in these fields (predominantly health care). […]
All jobs are useful, but some are foundational. Public sector jobs are dependent upon private sector jobs that generate tax revenue. Service sector jobs are also dependent on jobs in manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy, farming, fishing, and forestry. These latter jobs are foundational because they support everything else. Foundational jobs make new things, add unique […]