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| "If the people cannot trust their government to do
the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their
common welfare - all else is lost."
Barak Obama
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Facts
State Budget Shortfalls
As the 124th Legislature convenes, Maine is not alone in facing serious budget shortfalls. At least 41 states have shortfalls in their
budgets for this and/or next year. In the first half
of 2008, most states experienced flat or declining revenues relative to
the previous year. The most recent indications are that revenues will continue to weaken significantly.
Source: Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
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Figures
9.5 Million
The number of unemployed workers in America in September 2008
2.9
The number of unemployed workers for every job opening
17.1 Million
The number of underemployed workers, i.e. working part-time but wanting full-time work, working below skill level, etc.
$2 Trillion
Estimated loss of pension wealth since the financial crisis
Source: Economic Policy Institute
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| Greetings!
We wish you a happy holiday season surrounded by family members and friends. There will be tough times ahead for Maine, but we end 2008 with hope and optimism for our country and our state's future.
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Giving to MECEP
Join the roll call of folks who give to the Maine Center for  Economic Policy each year. We will represent your interests in the State House and will continue to provide elected officials with timely and credible research and analysis. Our ideas for shared prosperity are making a difference in Maine. Our leadership and guidance to our coalition partners working on the ground helps turn good ideas into action. Invest in Maine's economic future with a donation to MECEP today. Give Online or send a check to MECEP, PO Box 437, Augusta, ME 04332. Thank you! SAVE THE DATE for our annual Tax & Budget Conference. January 12, 2009 at the Augusta Civic Center. |
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Spotlight: Judy Ward
 Office Manager Judy Ward has been with the Maine Center for Economic Policy for a decade. She's the person at the other end of the phone when you call, the one who sends out those appeal letters and processes your donations. She'll get you registered for our conference and keep you up to date with our publications. Like all great administrators, she's the office hub that keeps our wheels turning. "It's been a great ride, one of a lifetime." says Judy. "Here's to another decade." We concur! Thank you for ten years of forward motion.
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Reports and Publications  Kurt Wise and intern Elliot Vrana are working on our annual "Maine Revenue & Spending Primer" due to be released at our Annual Conference, January 12th. Our new research on the impact of Latinos in the Maine economy will also be forthcoming in the new year. Health care costs are skyrocketing; stay tuned for our December Choices on health care cost imperatives.
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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.
State of the State is now available on Time-Warner cable in York, Cumberland and Aroostook counties! Recently aired and upcoming programs:
- Maine's Next Attorney General
- The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- The Center for Maine Crafts
- Keeping Maine's fishing industry viable
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Partners in Prosperity: Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative
 The Northern Forest stretches 400 miles and encompasses 30 million acres of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York, spilling into Canada and providing a home to more than 2 million people. The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) was launched in 2006 by the Northeast governors to develop regional and shared strategies that can reinvigorate the rural economies of the Northern Forest. In November, coalition partners gathered in Dixville Notch, NH to discuss the ten SEI recommendations and to develop an action plan. The Ways of the Woods mobile museum is pictured above.
Read the report and recommendations
Learn about the Northern Forest Center
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Sincerely,
Deborah Felder
Maine Center for Economic Policy |
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