Training participation . Many of these households experienced hardships with income decline. About one in five of all respondents had received shut-off notices for the phone or utilities or were contacted by a collection agency. Twelve percent postponed medical care, surgery or purchasing needed prescription drugs. Sixteen percent had to move.
Maine needs to take a pro-active approach to economic restructuring.
Broad stakeholder input should be ensured in directing new state research and development funds within the university system. The research undertaken must be linked to the development of adequate livelihoods for Maine workers and communities most in need of assistance. Business tax incentive standards. Priority for business tax incentives and other public services should be given to ventures with in-state ownership. And all state and local business financing should encourage or require businesses to hire from the community, increase the number of jobs, ensure livable wages, exercise union neutrality, and provide training and participation programs for front line workers.