In her State of the Budget Address tonight, Governor Janet Mills declared that her Administration is focused on health care, education, and the Maine economy, saying that her budget proposals maintain stability in these important areas during a time of uncertainty and put Maine on a path to economic recovery.
Leaders, advocates, and other issued-based experts have praised the Governor's budget proposals for maintaining stability amid the pandemic. Tonight, they are welcoming her “Back to Work” bond proposal, which focuses on accelerating the state’s economic recovery, getting people back to work, and strengthening and diversifying Maine’s economy. The proposal, which will be fully unveiled in the coming weeks, draws on Maine’s 10-year Strategic Economic Development Plan as well as recommendations from the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee.
Here’s what they are saying:
“By emphasizing investments in broadband, childcare, innovation and workforce development, Governor Mills has set the right priorities to support Maine’s people, while creating a strong foundation for economic growth,” said Joshua Broder, CEO of Tilson, and Laurie Lachance, President of Thomas College, co-chairs of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee. “We commend the governor and her administration for their dedicated attention to the issues facing Maine’s families and communities, and for bringing forth bold initiatives to restore Maine’s economic trajectory, grow jobs in our state, and further establish Maine as among the nation’s best places to live and work.”
"The Economic Recovery Committee, on which I served, clearly identified key investments into Maine's economy particularly in broadband, innovation, childcare and workforce development,” said Dana Connors, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “The Maine State Chamber of Commerce applauds Governor Mills’ bond proposal which turns this plan into reality and starts the State of Maine on the path of economic recovery and growth."
“As we wrote in a December 5, 2020 op-ed in the Portland Press Herald, we believe that State government has an important role to play ensuring that Maine recovers faster from the pandemic and 2020 economic downturn than it did after the Great Recession, and recovers in a way that engages all Mainers,” said Keith Bisson, President of CEI, and Betsy Biemann, CEO of CEI, and member of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee. “We are pleased that the Governor’s bond package includes key investments that will help recover and grow Maine’s economy and enable Maine people to thrive. To be successful Maine must invest more in a sustainable food economy, child care and broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas and this bond package is an important indicator of our state’s values and tremendous opportunities.”
Developing the Workforce: On Governor Mills’ proposal for $25 million for equipment for Maine Career and Technical Education programs and a partnership with Maine’s Community College System to train skilled workers to fill jobs in high-growth industries:
“If ever there was a time to invest in our future it is right now, and a workforce bond makes perfect sense,” said David Daigler, President of the Maine Community College System.“The Governor has laid out a smart, strategic vision for the state and Maine’s community colleges will play a critical role in providing the education and training needed to achieve those goals.”
“We are excited by Governor Mills’ efforts to expand career exploration, career and technical education, and internship opportunities for Maine students,” said Jason Judd, Executive Director of Educate Maine. “These hands-on experiences allow Maine to expand our skilled workforce while providing students the opportunity to explore Maine companies, grow their careers, and contribute directly to our vibrant communities.”
“We commend Governor Mills’ support for Career and Technical Education Centers and Community Colleges, which will provide Maine students with exceptional learning opportunities and prepare them for future success as skilled members of Maine's workforce,” said Dave Keaton, CTE Director of Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton and incoming the Executive Director of Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE). “These additional resources will help Maine’s CTEs unleash the potential of Maine’s young people, help fill Maine’s high-growth careers, and create sustained economic growth.”
"The Maine Renewable Energy Association applauds Governor Mills for her forward thinking approach to responsibly growing the state's clean energy economy. It is critical that we pair clean energy development with a well-trained and growing Maine-based workforce -- for too long efforts have not identified and proposed solutions to fill the holes in our workforce -- we know we must bring forward answers for how we go about filling those holes including for those Mainers in today's workforce, and those entering in the future,” said Jeremy Payne, Executive Director of Maine Renewable Energy Association. “Clear, consistent policies will allow clean energy companies to create hundreds and hundreds of jobs next year, 5 years from now, and a decade down the road. Alongside the workforce development efforts of our private companies, we strongly support the Governor's bond proposal to invest $25 million in our CTEs and the community colleges to be sure they are well positioned to help create pathways to long-term, high quality, jobs for many Mainers for years to come.”
Heritage Industry Innovation & Research and Development: On Governor Mills’ $50 million proposal for Maine farmers, foresters, and fishermen to increase local processing infrastructure, improve access to markets, and invest in innovation to modernize and add value to products grown, caught, and cultured here in Maine:
“The Maine Forest Products Council is appreciative of Governor Mills support of the forest economy in her state of the budget address,” said Patrick J. Strauch, Executive Director of the Maine Forest Products Council. “My members have invested in Maine with past support of the MTI Maine Technology Asset Fund, providing jobs and business growth in Maine’s rural economies. The opportunities for encouraging investment in emerging wood technologies and in training the workforce of today and tomorrow are imperative for a growing forest economy. We appreciate her leadership through difficult times and into a more prosperous future.”
“FOR/Maine (Forest Opportunity Roadmap) applauds Governor Mills for advocating forward-thinking bonding for forest sector economic development opportunities,” said Steve Schley, Chair of FOR/Maine Executive Committee. “The ideas she presented tonight fit within the framework of our multi-year, unique, and diverse, industry-led coalition that includes communities, government, education, and non-profits, which have come together to realize the next generation of Maine’s great forest economy. Investments of innovation capital, and within workforce systems expansion/development, are critical to driving success toward our goal of expanding and diversifying Maine’s rural Maine forest industry job opportunities and economy from $8.5 billion to $12 billion in the next few years.”
“The State’s support of Ready Seafood’s lobster processing plant helped us invest in equipment and infrastructure that has led directly to the development of new lobster products, new jobs and new revenue right here in Maine,” said Curt Brown, Marine Biologist with Ready Seafood. “Investments that support businesses like ours will support the lobster industry, help hire more Maine people, and result in a stronger economy.”
“State and Federal R&D funding has been vital to our company’s early growth, ultimately allowing us to conduct Maine's first commercial rocket launch last month,” said Sascha Deri, Founder & CEO of bluShift Aerospace. “We are proud to grow our company in Maine, and we’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received to develop our ‘Made in Maine’ launch service powered by our non-toxic bio-derived fuel.”
“State support through R&D bonds and Maine Technology Institute funding has helped us develop our innovative wall containment product and quickly scale our operations,” said Chris Vickers, President & CEO of STARC Systems. “We now employ over 80 people and are one of the fastest growing manufacturing companies in the nation.”
Expanding Broadband: On Governor Mills’ proposal for $30 million to expand broadband across Maine:
“The pandemic has shown how real the digital divide is in our great State, and how important it is to ensure that every home and business has a robust broadband connection,” said Susan Corbett, Founder & Director, National Digital Equity Center. “We need to advance digital equity and inclusion by increasing access to broadband, computers and devices, and expanding digital literacy training for every Maine citizen.”
“High speed internet is extremely important to daily life and the pandemic highlights how important broadband is to helping people work remotely, making sure students can attend schools, keeping people connected with their families, and allowing government to continue to function,”said Nick Battista, Senior Policy Officer at the Island Institute and Chair of the ConnectMaine Authority Board. “Governor Mills commitment to expanding broadband in Maine recognizes the important role state leadership plays in closing the digital divide.”
“When it comes to expanding high speed broadband in Maine, Governor Mills’ leadership has been extremely important. The Governor’s support for the $15 million ConnectME broadband bond in 2020, as well as her decisive action to secure and authorize use of the federal CARES Act funding to improve high speed broadband access to rural students in Maine, has made all the difference,”said Shirley Manning, President of LCI Fiber Optic Network and Tidewater Telecom.“As the owner of several small communications companies in Maine, I truly appreciate the Governor’s willingness to think creatively and work in partnership with the private sector to meet our shared goal of bringing fiber optic broadband to as many homes and business in Maine as quickly as possible.”
Increasing Childcare: On Governor Mills’ proposal for $6 million for grants and low-interest loans to renovate, expand, or construct childcare facilities and increase the availability of childcare slots, with half of that money going to underserved communities in rural Maine:
“We know that many Maine families struggle to find child care. By investing in a child care bond, Maine can increase the number of safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate early education environments for young children while improving access to care,” said Stephanie Eglinton, Executive Director of Maine Children’s Alliance. “Public and private support for facilities helps remove a significant ongoing cost burden for providers and allows them to pay higher salaries to educators. We applaud the Governor’s decision to improve learning environments and expand care for young children with this bond.”
“In Franklin County, like other rural parts of our state, many working parents are struggling to find quality, affordable child care for their young children. As an early childhood education professor who works with many different types of child care providers, I am aware of the challenge of starting a new child care facility and making it work financially,” said Donna Karno, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education from Franklin County. “The Governor’s bond proposal provides for a critical investment in our child care infrastructure to support the opening and expansion of child care facilities that will increase access for working families, particularly in the rural parts of Maine.”