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Aroostook County, MAINE — After joining Maine people in watching the Can-Am International Sled Dog Race, Governor Janet Mills personally presented a Fort Kent business owner with a Maine Jobs and Recovery Grant Award today and visited a Presque Isle business that also received an economic recovery grant from her Administration to support their redevelopment efforts.

Governor Janet Mills and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced today that six Maine Working Communities Challenge teams have been selected to receive three-year, $375,000 grants to begin implementing proposals that address local economic problems, including poverty and lack of work opportunity.

Grants of up to $50,000 awarded by Maine Department of Economic and Community development will help small businesses with pandemic-related expenses

Federal cost share measures amid the ongoing COVID-19 emergency that were set to expire on April 1, 2022, have been extended to July 1, 2022

Following its meeting today, Maine’s nonpartisan Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) is expected to upgrade the State’s General Fund revenue forecast by approximately $411.6 million for the current biennium, which ends June 2023. At the same time, RFC also expressed significant concern about shifting economic conditions, calling the fiscal environment “uncertain” and “variable” and noting that the accuracy of their forecast becomes less reliable in future years, leading them to urge caution in use of the revenues.

Governor asks Maine people to join in expressing support for Ukraine and calls on State Liquor and Lottery Commission to delist Russia-made spirits 

Governor Janet Mills released the following statement today on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated masking guidance:

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today expressing her deep gratitude to members of the Maine National Guard whose deployments to Maine hospitals are scheduled to end today.

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today on the planned closure of the Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias:

Augusta, MAINE — Due to worsening winter weather conditions impacting much of the state, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine offices to close today, Friday, February 25, 2022.

“With the storm worsening, I am closing State offices today,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I encourage all Maine people to drive carefully if you have to be on the roads and please be sure to give plenty of space to road crews and first responders as they work to keep us safe.”

Augusta, MAINE — Due to a forecasted winter storm expected to impact much of the state, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine offices to open on a delayed schedule for tomorrow, Friday, February 25, 2022, at 11:00 AM.

"Recent warmer weather should not make us underestimate this winter storm," said Governor Janet Mills. "I encourage all Maine people to be careful during their morning commute tomorrow, giving plenty of space to road crews as they work to clear the roads."

Augusta, MAINE — Governor Janet Mills has signed the following bills into law:

$8 million program approved today will give deliver a one-time $90 credit to low-income Maine households to help with increased electricity rates

The Mills Administration and the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) today applauded the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) unanimous approval of a one-time utility bill credit of $90 for low-income Maine households.

The Maine leaders urged the Navy Secretary to name a DDG-51 destroyer after the Lincoln native for his courageous service

Governor’s supplemental budget gives back half the budget surplus to Maine taxpayers, proposes tax relief for working families, increases Rainy Day Fund to record new high, and advances proposal for two-years of free community college to strengthen Maine’s workforce

According to recently updated data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, 2021 was the most valuable year in the history of Maine's lobster fishery. At $724,949,426, the landed value for the iconic fishery jumped by 75 percent over 2020, by far the single largest increase in value, year over year.

Of note, the increase in value from 2020 to 2021, $312,464,172, was more than the total landed value in 2009.

The Governor’s proposals “boldly address the needs of Maine’s people, families and economy.”

“The Governor’s investment in Maine citizens and the places they are proud to call home demonstrates an understanding of the challenges facing our residents and property taxpayers.”

“Two years of free community college is an incredible investment in young people in Maine.”

“Governor Mills is making a historic investment in Maine children.”

AUBURN, Maine – Governor Janet Mills today visited Central Maine Community College to promote her plan to provide up to two years of free community college for the high school graduates most impacted by the pandemic. The proposal, announced during last night's State of the State address, would help students graduate unburdened by student debt and prepare them to fill critical shortages in Maine’s workforce.

Governor Mills announces she will “Give Back” half of the budget surplus to Maine people; pursue two years of free community college for Maine students hard-hit by the pandemic; and overhaul Maine’s student debt relief program to transform it into a nation-leading tool

In her second State of the State address, Governor Janet Mills tonight declared that “Our state is strong, and it is growing stronger every day,” as she touted the significant progress Maine has made despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and as she vowed to continue progress on behalf of Maine people.

If approved, $8 million proposal would give low-income Maine households a one-time $90 credit to help with increased electricity rates

To help Maine people with electricity bills, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) today submitted a proposal to the Maine Public Utilities Commission to deliver a one-time utility bill credit of $90 for low-income Maine households.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved her request for Federal COVID-19 Surge Response Teams on behalf of Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor.

Beginning February 18, two U.S. Department of Defense teams each consisting of 20 military medical personnel – including physicians, nurses, and respiratory technicians – will supplement existing staff at EMMC to provide care for those with COVID-19 and other serious medical issues. The teams will provide assistance through mid-March.

A lack of compliant gear is making it extremely difficult for lobstermen and women to meet the May 1^st deadline. Failure to postpone the rule will cost the lobster industry $7.3 million.

Governor’s bipartisan bill enhances the independence of the Child Welfare Ombudsman while her budget initiatives implement expert-recommendations to improve child safety

Governor Janet Mills today unveiled bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman and announced forthcoming key budget initiatives to bridge gaps in the child welfare workforce, implement recent child welfare recommendations, and improve child safety in Maine.