Maine’s New Council on Poverty and Economic Security
Maine has a new Council on Poverty and Economic Security. It was created by the legislature in 2008. The Council will advise the Governor
and the legislature on ways to end poverty and increase economic security for Maine people.
Poverty is a growing problem in Maine. The facts are troubling. One in eight Maine people lives in poverty. The problem is worse for older
people. One in ten Maine seniors is very poor. The data tells us that one in six Maine children lived below the poverty level in 2006.
This is an increase of more than 50% since 2001. We also know that one in three Maine people are “near-poor.” They live below 200% of the
poverty level and have real difficulty making ends meet.
Maine’s poverty and near-poverty rate is the highest in New England. Maine also has the highest number of people in New England who are
worried about not having enough to eat.
The Council is going to tackle these issues. Its members will include people with experience in the issues of poverty and economic security.
Legislators, representatives from state government, and policy experts will be on the Council. It will also include business leaders, a
Native American representative and a representative from the religious community. Most importantly, people who know what it means to be
poor will be selected as members. They will bring first-hand knowledge of poverty and what can be done to eliminate it. MAIN will
recommend two people who have experience living in poverty to be members of the Council.
The Council will bring much-needed attention to the problem of poverty in Maine. It will also help develop and carry out a plan to end
poverty and increase economic security in our state.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Augusta Civic Center
MAIN and Maine Equal Justice are working with the Maine Community Action Association to plan this symposium. MCAA received a grant to work
with MAIN to hold ‘listening sessions’ in seven communities throughout the State. People who are or have recently experienced poverty will be
invited to these meetings to share their experiences and ideas on how to end poverty and increase economic security for Maine people.
This information will be used to help plan the October 27th event.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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