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Who Pays And Who Benefits: 21st Century Tax Reform For Maine, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Who Pays And Who Benefits: 21st Century Tax Reform For Maine, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Most people do not enjoy paying taxes, which are the primary source of revenue for governments at all levels, but most people also probably agree that ultimately, some kind of taxation is necessary. However, public support for taxes is greatly influenced by perceptions of whether tax systems are fair or equitable, and these perceptions are unfortunately not always based on factual information or clear understanding. The ongoing debate over Maine’s latest attempt at tax reform is no exception.


Responsible Contractors Help Build Thriving Communities, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Responsible Contractors Help Build Thriving Communities, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

What is responsible contractor language, and why is it important? Public construction projects are often costly undertakings. In recent years, municipalities and schools are increasingly using responsible contractor policies to "set certain minimum employment standards" for bidding on construction work. In response to this trend, responsible contractor (RC) language is being developed and used to provide needed reform in the construction contract bidding process. According to a recent study of responsible contractor reforms, the public policy goal of these reforms is to "ensure that all contracts for public works are awarded to reputable, responsible finns that have the qualifications, resources …


The Minimum Wage: Two Generations Of Neglect Add Up, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

The Minimum Wage: Two Generations Of Neglect Add Up, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Although a three-step raise in the Federal minimum wage that ended in July, 2009 is projected to generate a total of $10.4 billion in increased consumer spending,2 a survey of the wage situation in the U.S. today suggests that recent raises to the minimum wage are inadequate. Both Maine and the nation have been plagued by serious wage stagnation for many years. The overextended credit that helped fuel the recent economic crisis was exacerbated by what has been called a “collapse of hourly wage growth” by the Economic Policy Institute. In the longer term, the inflation-adjusted value of the minimum …


Update On Labor's Demographics, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Update On Labor's Demographics, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

As in years past, unionization levels have continued to vary widely according to demographic and occupational characteristics of the U.S. workforce, as well as geographic region. The unionization level of the total employed U.S. wage and salary workforce is one measure. However, in order to obtain a more balanced perspective, it is also important to consider the specific levels of union membership in both public and private sector areas of employment, which play a significant role in the U.S. economy. Using data compiled and supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, this briefing paper provides a statistical summary of unionization …


The Maine Women's Advocate (2010 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2010

The Maine Women's Advocate (2010 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Towards Voluntary Interoperable Open Access Licenses For The Global Earth Observation System Of Systems (Geoss), Harlan J. Onsrud, Bastian Van Loenen Jan 2010

Towards Voluntary Interoperable Open Access Licenses For The Global Earth Observation System Of Systems (Geoss), Harlan J. Onsrud, Bastian Van Loenen

Spatial Information Science and Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Access to earth observation data has become critically important for the wellbeing of society. A major impediment to achieving widespread sharing of earth observation data is lack of an operational web-wide system that is transparent and consistent in allowing users to legally access and use the earth observations of others without seeking permission from data contributors or investigating terms of usage on a case-by-case basis. This article explores approaches to supplying a license-based system to overcome this impediment in the context of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of the explored approaches and …


Putting Equity Back In Reverse Mortgages: Helping Seniors Retire With Dignity, Andrew C. Helman Jan 2010

Putting Equity Back In Reverse Mortgages: Helping Seniors Retire With Dignity, Andrew C. Helman

Maine Policy Review

Policymakers can help some seniors age in place through policies to strengthen private-sector reverse mortgages. In reverse mortgages, individuals who may be “house rich but cash poor” can use their home’s equity to receive regular income or get money through a credit line. Andrew Helman argues that state legislatures can help seniors avoid the “tricks and traps” of reverse mortgages by estab­lishing programs in which lenders who agree to play by rules that ensure the safety and security of such mortgages are placed on a “preferred” list for seniors seeking a loan. He observes that laying the groundwork now can …