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| "Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts."
E. B. White |
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Facts
Migrant Workers and Maine
More than 10,000 migrant farm workers and their families will be in our state this summer to harvest wild blueberries and cranberries, pick apples, cut broccoli, tend chickens and plant trees. Migrant workers play a key role in keeping Maine-grown food on our tables at a reasonable cost.
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85% of the fruits and vegetables in the U.S. are harvested by hand.
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It is estimated that there are over 3 million migrant and seasonal farm workers in the United States.
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1.3 million are U.S. citizens migrating between states, earning their living in the agricultural industry -- an industry which OSHA lists as the second most dangerous occupation in the United States.
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61% of all farmworkers have incomes below the poverty level.
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The average life expectancy of a farmworker is substantially lower than the overall life expectancy of the U.S. population.
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Figures
$6.7 Billion
The amount tourists spent in Maine in 2006
$3.8 Billion
The amount of wages generated from tourism-related jobs
$531 Million
Tax revenue to Maine from the tourism industry
source: State Planning Office | |
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| Greetings!
Welcome to summer in Vacationland. It's short - so after you read this, step away from your computer and enjoy our glorious state. And remember to thank a tourist for contributing to our economic well-being. |
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Health Coverage for Maine
 Maine's leadership efforts to improve health care quality, access and affordability has led to the lowest uninsured rates in New England. Maine was the first state in the nation to attempt universal health coverage and our efforts remain a model for health care reform across the country. The beer, wine and soda tax will help reform many of Dirigo's financing issues and cut costs for everyone - not just folks who use Dirigo. We're all worried about the economy, but putting more than 50,000 kids and hard working adults at risk of losing affordable health coverage takes us backwards. Our economy needs a healthy workforce and our future needs healthy children. Let the Fed Up with Taxes petition gatherers and their out-of-state interests know that moving forward on health care for Maine is worth more than a few pennies. Find out more: |
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Spotlight: Our Members
 Good research and analysis must move beyond pages in a report and into the hands of people if we hope to build strong community consensus on issues that matter to all of us. Our organizational members and coalition partners do just that. We rely on each other to make Maine 'the way life should be' for everyone. If you are an organization, a state agency, a trade association, a college or a library, become a Partner in Prosperity with the Maine Center for Economic Policy. There are many ways to participate.
View our membership levels and benefits and join today. |
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In the News 
A selection of press releases, articles and opinion pieces from a variety of media on issues we care about.
5/29/08 Bangor Daily News: Maine needs farm bill's food aid
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Reports and Publications  In 2007, the Legislature enacted a landmark school consolidation initiative. Response to this measure has been lukewarm at best, despite the fact that school enrollment is dropping by 4,000 students a year in Maine and that K-12 education is currently costing taxpayers $2.2 billion annually. In this month's Choices, Doug Rooks discusses past educational spending reform plans and the current state of consolidation efforts and presents a "third way" of cooperation that could provide needed results.
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On the Air
State of the State is our weekly cable television show about issues facing Maine. Check here for programs, airtimes, schedules and podcasts or contact us for a DVD.
Recently aired and upcoming programs:
- The Creative Economy
- Maine Indian Tribal State Relations
- Real ID
- More Efficient Jails
- Overview of 2008 Legislative Sesssion
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Partners in Prosperity
The Maine Center for Economic Policy works in coalition with other organizations in Maine, New England and across the country to achieve its mission. This month we highlight our partnership with the Working Poor Families Project (WPFP). The project was launched in 2002 by national philanthropic leaders who saw the need to strengthen state policies affecting low-income families. The national initiative is now supported by the Annie E. Casey, Ford, Joyce and Mott foundations. The WPFP focuses on the states because state policies and investments critically affect the lives of working families. The WPFP began work in five states and after five years is now active in 23 states and the District of Columbia. MECEP has partnered with WPFP since 2004 to help prepare working families for a more secure economic future. Look for an upcoming release of a MECEP report on working poor families iNn Maine.
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Sincerely,
Deborah Felder
Maine Center for Economic Policy |
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