Maine, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 32% (37,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2022). This number represents a decrease from 34% (39,000) in 2016.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
Maine’s governor signed the state’s fiscal 2024-2025 supplemental budget in April of 2024. The supplemental budget totals $10.47 billion in general fund spending, an increase of $127.4 million, or 1.3 percent, above the originally enacted fiscal 2024-2025 biennial budget. For fiscal 2025, under the supplemental budget general fund appropriations would total $5.39 billion, a 6.2 percent increase over fiscal 2024 appropriation levels. Undedicated general fund revenue is estimated at $5.33 billion for fiscal 2025 after incorporating forecast revisions and enacted legislation but before transfers. After transfers, other adjustments, and appropriations, the supplemental budget estimates a general fund ending balance for fiscal 2025 of $11.4 million.3
Largest Revenue Sources (after federal transfers):4
State Budget Rules:4
Maine uses a biennial budget. The legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget, nor is the governor required to sign one, and deficits may be carried over into the following year. However, the state has budget rules that require lawmakers to balance revenues and expenditures. Maine also limits spending growth with a formula based on personal income and population growth. However, the legislature can override the limit with a simple majority vote. The state also limits total authorized debt and debt service incurred by the state.
Political Alignment: Aligned Democrat
During the 2024 session, the state’s Senate and House were both Democrat controlled. The state’s governor was also a Democrat.5
Types of Common Ballot Measures Available:6 Five
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:7
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:8
Legislation was included in the supplemental appropriations bill making significant needed changes for responsibility and oversight of the of educational services for young children with disabilities. Responsibility for a Free Appropriate Public Education for children 3 to under 6 (Part B Section 619) will be transferred from Maine’s Child Development Services (CDS)system to local school districts by July 1, 2028. Highlights of the legislation include:
Our lead ally in Maine, the Maine Children’s Alliance (MCA), advocates for sound public policies and best practices that improve the lives of all Maine children, youth, and families. They collaborate with partners and provide policymakers with comprehensive data and information about the status and well-being of Maine’s children.
Maine Children’s Alliance is working to advance early childhood policies in several areas that align with the Alliance’s birth-through-eight policy framework:
Child Care
Child Care Workforce
Early Intervention (Age 0-3)
Family Economic Security
Child Welfare
Early Childhood Governance
Click here for more information on advocates’ policy agenda.
Maine’s Right from the Start Coalition—a diverse, bipartisan group of organizations working for high-quality and accessible early care and education—helped pass a multi-faceted child care bill and helped defeat proposed budget cuts.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2 National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 through 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, October 2024, NCCP analysis of ACS 5-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2018-2022.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2025.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, June 2024.
5 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2024 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, April 29, 2024.
6 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, retrieved July, 2024.
7 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
8 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2024; and 2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, July, 2024.
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The Alliance for Early Success does not endorse or advocate for specific legislation or candidates.
