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Fair Weather Or Foul? Maine's Business Climate Revisted, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jul 2002

Fair Weather Or Foul? Maine's Business Climate Revisted, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

There is no shortage of analyses of the problems of Maine’s economy, or of proposed solutions. Once again, a number of recent reports have argued that Maine has a highly unfavorable business climate, characterized by excessive taxes and excessive regulation. These reports go on to argue that Maine must improve its business climate through such suggested changes as an overhaul of the tax system, elimination of property taxes on business equipment purchases, reducing the state’s regulatory burden, and reducing Maine’s supposedly high “tax burden.” Although the support for these proposals is framed as being “irrefutable,” in reality many of the …


Thinking Outside The Box: The Challenge Of Maine's Regional Service Centers, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2002

Thinking Outside The Box: The Challenge Of Maine's Regional Service Centers, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

The challenges facing regional service center communities in Maine need to be addressed by creative problem solving which goes beyond the simplistic and flawed assumptions of the "Closed Loop" model of service center revenue. Many existing strategies to increase municipal revenue through tax incentives and inappropriate economic development are often counterproductive to the long-term well-being of service center communities and their quality of life. The health of RSC's is critically important for the well-being of the state as a whole, and the taxpayers in these communities should not be expected to assume the entire financial burden of providing needed services …


The U.S. Health Care System: Best In The World, Or Just The Most Expensive?, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jul 2001

The U.S. Health Care System: Best In The World, Or Just The Most Expensive?, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

For many years, politicians and insurance companies could blithely proclaim that the U.S. had the best health care system in the world, but as its major shortcomings become more visible, Americans are finding it harder to accept this assertion. The 42.6 million people in the U.S. currently without health insurance are acutely aware that our health care system is not working for everyone, and there is growing recognition that the major problems of rising costs and lack of access constitute a real crisis. However, the search for solutions has not been easy or clear cut. Policymakers often attempt to address …


Labor's Demographics Report For 2001, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2001

Labor's Demographics Report For 2001, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2000 the actual number of union members in the U.S. declined by 219,000 from the previous year. The percentage of U.S. wage and salary workers who were unionized dropped from 13.9 percent in 1999 to 13.5 percent in 2000. In comparison, during 1999 the number of union members increased by 266,000. Historically, this increase comprised the largest annual growth in union membership in twenty years. Not since 1979, did a larger increase occur with workers joining unions.2 The decrease in the number and percent of union members in 2000 reflects the continued …


Maine's Development Dilemma, 2001 Update, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2001

Maine's Development Dilemma, 2001 Update, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

In the face of economic challenges that continue to face Maine and other states in a time of globalization and rapid technological change, economic development is widely seen as essential to the well-being of Maine's economy and to an increased quality of life for its citizens. However, the nature of Maine's economy, natural resource base, and geography creates a difficult dilemma for our state. This is the paradox we face: while some form of economic development is clearly imperative, the long-term misallocation of scarce economic resources in pursuit of this goal, though well-intended, may cause further harm to the economy …


The Minimum Wage: Issues To Consider, 1999 Update, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 1999

The Minimum Wage: Issues To Consider, 1999 Update, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

The current minimum wage of $5.15 is clearly inadequate to support any family — only a oneperson household can stay above the federal poverty guidelines on a full-time minimum wage job. The minimum wage will continue to decline in its real value, putting individuals, families and especially children at growing risk of poverty. This economic hardship is heightened by the fact that many of the new jobs being created in the U.S. economy are low-wage service jobs, often without benefits. With a growing consensus that a minimum wage increase is not likely to harm employment, there is overwhelming evidence that …