AUGUSTA (AP) – A new report says a not-so-new trend lingers in Maine: Women are earning less than men.

The Maine Jobs Council report says progress made in recent years to close the gender wage gap has stalled, with women still earning significantly less than men and more likely to live in poverty.

The report, released Tuesday, says Maine women who worked full-time had a gender wage gap with men but that the pay difference narrowed with more education.

Women earned 57 cents for every dollar earned by men when both had high school diplomas. When both had college degrees, women’s earnings rose to 68 cents.

State Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman says that even with more employer education and enforcement of equal pay statutes, the economic downturn is making it difficult for working women’s earnings to keep pace with those of their male counterparts.

AP-ES-04-02-08 0610EDT