ABOUT US
Maine Jobs Council Mission Statement
Our Core principles
- Foundational jobs are those that add value or bring revenue into Maine. They include manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy, farming, fishing, forestry, tourism, new 21st century businesses, and any entity that sells out of state. Foundational jobs support both the services and public sectors of the economy and thus are the primary economic engine of a healthy economy. All Maine Jobs Council (MJC) policies are in support of the creation and maintenance of foundational jobs.
- Foundational jobs should be the primary way we pay for government services through the taxes they generate.
- Foundational jobs are dependent on investment and a properly trained workforce. Maine’s public policies should create and foster an environment that attracts investment and trains workers for 21st century foundational jobs.
- Proper training of Maine’s workforce requires a comprehensive educational plan that meets the needs of the 21st century economy and integrates education at all levels and ages (K-12, community colleges, apprenticeships, internships, UMaine, private colleges, and adult education). Maine needs an increased focus on the skills needed by those who are not going to four-year colleges.
- Maine has to win the competition for jobs and investment with other states. The state’s overall costs for taxes, energy, and health care should be the lowest of the New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
- Maine needs to develop and follow a long term strategic plan that supports foundational jobs by incorporating these principles to create jobs and a tax base that works for all Mainers.
Principles
- Support the creation and maintenance of Foundational Jobs.
- Maine needs a comprehensive plan.
Structure
- Organization and management
- Communications
- Advocacy
Membership
- Low cost dues
- High impact membership with important value
MJC Top 10 Principles and Legislative Agenda
MJC Top 10 Principles and Legislative Agenda:
-
Principle 1List Item 1
MJC’s overriding mission is to support the maintenance and creation of foundational jobs to help grow, support and sustain Maine’s economy, public services, and our quality of life.
-
Principle 2List Item 2
The availability of workers with appropriate skills is critical to foundational job growth, especially because Maine’s workforce is shrinking
-
Principle 3List Item 3
Attracting capital investment into Maine is equally critical to growing foundational jobs, and Maine receives far less than it should on a per capita basis.
-
Principle 4List Item 4
We can grow foundational jobs by leveraging Maine’s natural resources and natural advantages (location, weather, terrain, wilderness, etc.).
-
Principle 5
We can grow foundational jobs by supporting economic sectors that bring money into Maine (manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, parks and recreation, etc.).
-
Principle 6
People have choices, and Maine must be competitive with regional and peer states with respect to cost structure to attract investment, customers, and workers.
-
Principle 7
Since the public sector is dependent on the foundational sectors, it should be cost efficient while providing appropriate social and other services.
-
Principle 8
Public sector expenses should be limited by the need to be competitive, and increased public sector spending should be financed by expanding the tax base organically by growing the foundational sectors.
-
Principle 9
The state should have a comprehensive strategic plan that includes strategies for making Maine competitive for capital investment and incentivizing job creation.
-
Principle 10
Policy solutions should be strategic, long-range and connected to a long-term vision and plan for the future. Legislation should be evaluated in relationship to a strategic plan, and lawmakers should take into account existing laws and other legislative proposals to gauge cumulative impact of proposals.
