The 39 members from around the state have the job of coming up with a plan to stabilize the state’s economy, and then grow it.
Maine economy
Maine knowingly reported misleading jobless data
Claims data from the state Department of Labor show nearly 157,000 claims have been filed since March 15, but more than 30,000 of those are duplicates.
Maine businesses expect heavy losses and job cuts this year, survey shows
Nearly 1,500 Maine companies said they expect revenue and employment to drop because of the pandemic and restrictions imposed to contain it.
New jobless claims surged by 16,000 last week as more workers qualified for benefits
Nearly 125,000 Mainers have now filed for unemployment benefits, roughly 18% of the state’s civilian labor force.
Maine’s two-week quarantine a deal-breaker for some seasonal residents
The 14-day self-quarantine order for anyone coming to Maine from out of state frustrates masses of second-home owners and raises uncertainty about a peak spending season.
Another 7,400 Mainers filed unemployment claims last week
The number brings the total claims filed since mid-March to roughly 108,500.
Maine tourism industry worries quarantine rule will cancel its summer
A 14-day isolation requirement for people coming into the state through August would deal a crippling blow to tourism businesses, but Maine’s economic development chief calls the rule ‘a last-case choice.’
Maine’s economic fallout from coronavirus could be nation’s worst
One study puts it at the top of the list for most vulnerable states, but economists say the coronavirus recession’s impact will depend on the public health response and industries’ adaptability to prolonged social distancing.
Maine unemployment claims hit new record of nearly 24,000 last week
As many as 87,000 Mainers will be out of work by the end of June because of coronavirus, one economic policy group estimates.
Gov. Mills extends Maine income tax filing deadline to July 15
Maine joins about 26 other states in pushing back their income tax filing deadlines to July 15 to conform with the new federal deadline, which was extended because of the coronavirus pandemic.