State of Working Maine 2021: COVID-19 Reveals Urgency to Protect and Empower Maine Workers

The arrival of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) in the United States in early 2020 led to massive social and economic upheaval. The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated drastic public health measures and resulted in some of the most dramatic economic shifts in the last century. The pandemic simultaneously created new challenges and exacerbated existing ones. It both required the prompt adoption of innovative policy solutions and refocused attention on policies that had long been identified as necessary to improve working conditions in the US.State of Working Maine 2021 details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working Mainers and examines the effectiveness of policymakers' responses. It illustrates the ways in which policymakers must learn from the pandemic in crafting new policy that improves conditions and supports, and the opportunities which are presented in this moment of rebuilding to create a fairer economic system that works for everyone -- not just those at the top. In particular, by placing additional strain on an already-disparate system, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened existing challenges for women and people of color.

Race and Public Policy in Maine: Past, Present, and Future

Maine’s bicentennial year is an appropriate moment to reflect on the historical legacy of public policy in Maine. In particular, the impact of historic policy decisions on people of color in the state is widely overlooked, perhaps because of Maine’s historical whiteness. This piece will show that, like the rest of the United States, Maine has a history of state-sanctioned discrimination, the consequences of which resonate today. Policymakers need to understand the harmful legacy of racist public policy in Maine if they are to avoid perpetuating those inequalities. Further, this piece will argue that it is not enough for lawmakers to avoid explicit or intentional racism in public policy, but that the state needs to be actively antiracist, with policies that intentionally work to improve the lives of people of color and correct historic wrongs

Entrepreneurs: Franco-American Businesses of Lewiston and Auburn

A showcase of material on Franco-American businesses in Lewiston-Auburn. Presented to Paul LePage in 2011 on the occasion of his election as Maine\u27s first Franco-American governor.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-original-research/1003/thumbnail.jp

Le Bulletin, Issue 12, (Spring 2014)

In this Issue: From the Coordinator f Online Catalog now Available f Upcoming: Franco-American History Fair f Sing-Alongs Continue in June; Summer Hiatus f Student Work: Sustaining Cultural Identity Report: Spring Event Series f Report: Maine Franco-American Day 2014 f Report: The Collection Abroad f Exhibit: L’Art des Femmes / The Feminine Arts f = version françaishttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-newsletters/1011/thumbnail.jp

Franco-Americans in New England Report

In the 2012 Legislative Session, the State of Maine mandated the creation of a task force to examine the status of Maine\u27s Franco-American populations. Collection Coordinator James Myall assisted the Task Force on Franco-Americans, presenting statistical information on Franco-Americans gathered from the US Census Bureau\u27s American Community Survey. Myall\u27s findings dispelled several preconceptions of Franco-Americans that are based on historical facts that are no longer true. For example, Francos are no more likely to work in manufacturing jobs than non-Francos. Nor are their families significantly larger than those of non-Francos. However, the historic effects of discrimination and a lack of confidence in Maine\u27s largest ethnic group are reflected in lower rates of college attainment among Franco-Americans in Maine. The report also suggested that traditional elements of Franco identity, such as the French language, and the Catholic church, are in decline. Myall produced two reports for the task force: Franco-Americans in Maine (sent to the task force in September 2012) examines the Franco-American population in Maine and identifies socio-economic trends. Franco-Americans in New England (sent to the task force in October 2012) compares the status of Maine\u27s Franco-American population to that of other New England states. Read more about the report and the task force at the Bangor Daily News Article. Read the final report of the task force, including its recommendations for the legislature.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-original-research/1001/thumbnail.jp

Le Bulletin, Issue 11, (Fall 2013)

In this Issue: From the Coordinator f Event Report: Franco‐American Voices f Grand Opening of the Collection’s New Space f More USM LAC Classes at the Collection f Donation—ACA Materials f Sing‐Alongs f Upcoming Events—Winter Book Readings f Annual Fund Campaign f HUM 460: Franco‐American Community and Archive Work f Sous les Drapeaux: Under the Colors f = version françaishttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-newsletters/1010/thumbnail.jp

Feeling the Pinch: Inflation and corporate consolidation

Prices are rising and Mainers are feeling the pinch. At the same time, some of the world's largest corporations are reporting record profits.The mismatch between Mainers feeling the pinch as corporate profits rise is the result of choices made by policymakers over time, particularly at the federal level, that have given corporations greater power over people to set prices and control the flow of goods and services. Now, corporations are using this power to extract even larger profits under the cover of current global supply chain disruptions.Prices on everyday items that we all rely on including meat, milk, bread, fuel, and electricity have gone up as much as 16 percent in the last year. That's well above the average increase in the costs of goods and services as a consequence of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and changing consumer behavior. From April 2020 through December 2021, corporate profits accounted for 54 percent of each dollar increase in prices compared to just 11 percent on average during the 40 years prior to that period. As a result, corporate profits are the highest they've ever been since the late 1940s.Against this backdrop, policymakers must work to reduce corporate consolidation and power while also helping to buttress Mainers against ongoing price increases.

Le Bulletin, Issue 1, (September 2010)

In This Issue / Dans cet numéro: Report - Francophone Sing-a-Long with Benoir Borque Rapport - Chanter en Choeur en Français avec Benoir Borque Window Exhibit - Back to School Exposée de la Fenêtre - «Retour à l\u27École» Upcoming Events/Événements Imminents New Items at the Collection/ Objets Nouveaux à la Collection Who Are They?/Qui Sont-Ils? Exhibition - Back to School Exposée - Retour à l\u27Écolehttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-newsletters/1000/thumbnail.jp

A Better Path for Maine: The Case for Decriminalizing Drugs

No one should die or have their life derailed because they, or someone they love, uses drugs. But that is what is happening in Maine because of criminalization: There are very real economic and social costs because Maine criminalizes drug use and possession. We talked to more than 150 people -- those who have been arrested for drug crimes, their family members as well as prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, and harm reduction workers.In these pages, we'll detail the enormous toll that drug laws take on our communities. Our data is pulled from interviews conducted in person, over the telephone, and on Zoom. We also submitted public records requests and reviewed academic public health research, as well as local and national media stories covering drug policy.The report illustrates the harm that criminalization does to individuals and their families and how much money the state has spent to do so. Our recommendations will not only help people who use drugs, but will mean wiser investments of public funds.We hope this report will make a new way in Maine, one that turns away from old systems of punishment and towards an investment in communities and connection

Le Forum, Vol. 40 No. 4

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1089/thumbnail.jp