Blog
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 […]
Jobs start with investments made by investors and entrepreneurs who believe in their ideas and are committed to creating a better future. These people and organizations have choices, and they consistently choose stable economic environments that generate the greatest returns on investment. Maine’s industries—like paper-making—have been affected by changes in consumer demands, technological advances, […]
This year there were well over 2,000 bills introduced in the Maine Legislature. Hundreds of them were “asks” by the whole spectrum of special interests. There are 186 legislators each of whom can introduce an unlimited number of bills. They are all up for election every two years, so their time frames are measured in […]