Newsroom

Governor announces she will include funding for bus safety measures in upcoming budget and signs executive order to establish commission on school bus safety

Governor Janet Mills today announced that she will propose approximately $4.3 million for enhanced safety measures on Maine school buses in her supplemental budget, following two tragedies involving school buses that claimed the lives of Maine children last year in Rockland and Standish.

Governor Janet Mills today applauded the Maine Senate's confirmation of Elaine Clark as Commissioner of the Department of Administrative & Financial Services (DAFS).

"I thank the Maine Senate for approving Elaine Clark's nomination," said Governor Janet Mills. "Elaine brings decades of experience, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. I look forward to continuing to work with her to ensure state government serves Maine people effectively and responsibly."

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

“In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote ‘Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.’

Transmission line will deliver affordable electricity to Maine consumers and support new investments in energy efficiency, broadband, and communities

Governor Janet Mills today welcomed the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, which will deliver affordable electricity into Maine and New England, strengthen the electric grid, reduce dependence on electricity from natural gas, and provide substantial benefits for Maine people.

Governor Janet Mills issued a video statement this evening acknowledging speculation that the Federal government may conduct Federal law enforcement operations in Maine in the coming days.

In her statement, the Governor said that her Administration has unsuccessfully attempted to confirm that any operations are being planned but noted that her Administration is working with municipalities to prepare.

Governor Mills and MaineDOT Acting Commissioner Dale Doughty offered the following statements after two MaineDOT employees were killed in a tragic accident this morning on Interstate 95 near Waterville:

Program has successfully connected more than 2,200 veterans with good-paying jobs in Maine since its creation a decade ago

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration's 2025 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign resulted in the hiring of over 100 veterans and military family members by Maine employers, meeting the campaign's goal of 100 hires in 100 days.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Kathy Javner (R-Chester): 

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Representative Kathy Javner passed away following her courageous battle with breast cancer. Fiercely devoted to the people of Northern Penobscot County, Representative Javner served her constituents in the Maine House with distinction. On behalf of the people of Maine, I offer condolences to Representative Javner’s family and community.” 

LD 1164 authorizes the Wabanaki Nations to operate online gambling to support economic development and investments in Tribal communities

Governor Janet Mills today announced her intention to allow LD 1164, An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations, to become law. The bill authorizes Maine's tribal governments to operate online gambling in Maine to support tribal communities and economic development.

Governor intends to let vast majority of held bills become law and notifies the Legislature of veto of LD 1228; the Legislature has recalled seven bills from her desk for consideration in coming session

Governor Janet Mills today announced that she will allow nearly all of the enacted bills held from the prior session of the Legislature to become law. 

Program launched by Governor Mills & Northeast Delta Dental has provided free oral health care to more than 1,500 Maine veterans since 2021

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Maine Veterans' Dental Network (MVDN) will continue to serve Maine veterans in need of dental care in 2026, thanks to a generous $350,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will deliver her State of the State Address to a Joint Convention of the Legislature in the House Chamber on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

State of Maine's strong application results in Federal award of more than $190 million for FY2026

Governor Janet Mills today welcomed anannouncement by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that it will award Maine more than $190 million in Fiscal Year 2026 from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to strengthen rural health care across the state.

With a wintry mix expected to impact much of the state overnight and into the morning hours, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine offices to delay opening until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Monday December 29, 2025.

"The wintry mix expected overnight could make for a messy commute on Monday,"said Governor Janet Mills. "I urge Maine people to take it slow on the roads, limit travel if possible, and give plenty of room to plow trucks and emergency responders working to keep people safe."

With an overnight storm system forecast expected to bring hazardous travel conditions, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine government offices closed tomorrow Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Governor also announces repeal of 2011 Executive Order that called for enhanced cooperation between State and Federal authorities on immigration enforcement

Governor Janet Mills has directed the United States and State of Maine flags be lowered statewide from sunrise to sunset on Friday, December 12, 2025, in honor of decorated U.S. Army veteran and revered Penobscot elder Charles Norman Shay. Shay will be laid to rest on Friday in France.

Governor Mills previously issued the following statement honoring Shay's life and extraordinary legacy of service:

Governor Janet Mills today honored four Maine employers as recipients of the 2025 Governor's Award for Business Excellence (GABE), the State's premier recognition for Maine businesses that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and commitment to their employees and communities.

For the first time ever, Governor Mills also presented an award to a Maine nonprofit, in recognition of the 7,000 nonprofits in Maine and the important contributions they make to the state's communities and economy.

Nation-leading program created by the Governor provides people who live and work in Maine a refundable tax credit for student loan payments of up to $2,500 annually

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her student loan relief program--one of the most generous in the nation--has provided more than $140 million in debt relief to Maine people with student loans since its creation three years ago.

Governor Janet Mills today issued the following statement in response to the President's comments about the Somali community in the United States:

"I condemn the President's shameful comments about Somali immigrants. By demeaning those who come to this country seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity, the President -- who is the son and grandson of immigrants himself -- is demeaning the very idea and spirit of America.

Governor Mills issued the following statement on the passing of decorated veteran and Penobscot tribal elder Charles Norman Shay:

In anticipation of a winter storm expected to impact much of the state, Governor Janet Mills has directed that all State of Maine offices close at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

"This is Maine's first major winter storm of the season, and we want to ensure that people stay safe," said Governor Janet Mills. "Please use caution if you must travel, make sure your emergency supplies at home and in the car are stocked for the winter, and check in on your neighbors -- especially older folks -- who may need a hand."

Consumers, health care providers and insurance experts decry Federal gridlock on extending critical tax credits for ACA insurance premiums

South Portland, MAINE -- Governor Janet Mills and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree today met with Maine consumers who are facing skyrocketing health care costs amid Republican resistance to extending key Federal tax credits before the end of the year.

With support from the Governor and Legislature, MaineHousing has financed more than 1,000 housing units over the past 12 months alone

Governor Janet Mills and MaineHousing today announced the financing for 311 affordable apartments at eight development sites in the cities of Biddeford, Belfast, Lewiston, Portland, South Portland, and Rockland.

With this announcement, the Mills Administration and MaineHousing has surpassed a milestone of financing more than 1,000 affordable homes in the past 12 months alone, most of them new construction.