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Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the passing of Oxford Fire Chief Gary Sacco:

Governor Janet Mills delivered brief remarks at a ribbon cutting ceremony and toured the new global headquarters of WEX, Inc. Friday. Senator Susan Collins, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson, members of the Portland City Council, and other guests were also in attendance.

Governor Janet Mills announced today she has issued an official proclamation designating March as Women’s History Month in Maine.

“Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our state and nation in countless ways, and yet those contributions are still overlooked and undervalued,” said Governor Mills. “In declaring the month of March Women’s History Month, I hope all Mainers will join me in honoring the women of our past and recommit to working together to achieve true equality for all.”

In response to reports nationwide regarding the prevalence of a perfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order creating a Governor’s Task Force to mobilize state agencies and other stakeholders to review the prevalence of PFAS in Maine and put forward a plan to address it.

Augusta, MAINE - Governor Janet Mills has announced the closure of all Hancock and Washington County State Offices today, Monday March 4th, 2019 due to inclement weather.

“I would urge everyone in Hancock and Washington County to avoid driving today wherever possible,” said Governor Mills. “Heavy and accumulating snow has made for dangerous driving conditions. I hope that, if you must drive, you will allow extra room for public safety and transportation officials to keep you safe.”

Governor Janet Mills has announced all State of Maine offices will open on a delayed start tomorrow, Monday, March 4, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. due to inclement weather.

“With a winter storm forecasted over much of the state during the morning commute today, I hope all Mainers travel safely and slowly,” said Governor Mills. “I hope all drivers will continue to give our public safety officials plenty of room to operate and clear the roads for us all.”

All state offices will open on normal operating hours Tuesday, March 05, 2019.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement regarding the death of Maine firefighter Captain Joel Barnes in the line of service Friday, March 1, 2019:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, colleagues, and friends of Berwick firefighter Capt. Joel Barnes, who lost his life fighting a four-alarm fire today. Joel will be forever remembered for his courage and service to our state,” said Governor Mills. “I’d also ask every family in Maine to join with me in praying for the swift recovery of the four firefighters still hospitalized tonight.”

Governor Janet Mills today directed that the United States and State of Maine flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise to sunset on the day of funeral services for Maine firefighter Captain Joel Barnes of Berwick who lost his life in the line of service Friday, March 1, 2019. An additional flag notice will be sent upon the scheduling of Capt. Barnes’ funeral.

Mills also announces proposal to create Maine Climate Council

During her remarks at the E2Tech 2019 Conference this morning, Governor Janet Mills announced that Maine has joined the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 21 states committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. To help accomplish this goal and identify other steps that can be taken to combat climate change, Governor Mills also announced that her Administration will introduce legislation to create the Maine Climate Council.

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration will propose using the building in Bangor commissioned by the previous administration as a “step-down” facility to, instead, offer a new option for inpatient-level care in the state while simultaneously expanding outpatient mental health services.

“The Coalition’s work promoting the expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling is incompatible with Maine’s interests.”

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that the State of Maine will not participate in the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition (OCSGC).

Augusta, MAINE - Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today in response to an announcement that the Trump Administration has formally issued a “domestic gag” rule designed to target Title X funding which ensures more than four million low-income Americans can access essential reproductive health care:

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Health and Human Services Jeanne Lambrew announced today that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has notified the State that Riverview Psychiatric Center has met all the conditions for recertification and will resume receiving federal Medicare reimbursement.

Portland, MAINE -- Governor Janet Mills released the following statement in response to the announcement of a signed Stipulation regarding the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) proposal:

“Last night thousands of Maine households turned up their thermostats to keep their families warm as the wind and snow came upon us around midnight. At $2.90 a gallon, most of those households spent precious dollars on heating oil.

Amanda Beal Confirmed Commissioner of Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Augusta, MAINE - Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today in response to the Maine Senate’s unanimous confirmation of her final cabinet nominee Amanda Beal to lead the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF):

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order yesterday to end a moratorium on wind turbine permits. This order clarifies that state agencies with the legal authority to issue permits can once again do their work with Maine’s local communities and stakeholders to determine which projects should go forward.

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today in response to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s unanimous vote of present committee members to advance the nomination of Amanda Beal to lead the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF):

Augusta, MAINE- Governor Janet Mills announced today that Aroostook County State Offices will close and all other State offices will open on a delayed start Wednesday at 11:00 AM due to inclement weather conditions.

“Please drive safely today,” said Governor Mills. “Snow and slick roads will make for dangerous conditions, and I encourage everyone to give our public safety officers and plow drivers plenty of room to operate as they work to keep us all safe.”

Please note that all state offices will open for regular hours Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Augusta, MAINE- Governor Janet Mills announced today that all State offices will open on a delayed start Wednesday at 11:00 AM due to inclement weather conditions.

“Please drive safely today,” said Governor Mills. “Snow and slick roads will make for dangerous conditions, and I encourage everyone to give our public safety officers and plow drivers plenty of room to operate as they work to keep us all safe.”

Please note that all state offices will open for regular hours Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Augusta, MAINE- The following is the State of the Budget Address of the 75th Governor of Maine, Janet T. Mills as prepared for delivery.

Mr. President; Madam Speaker; Chief Justice Saufley; Chiefs Francis, Nicholas, Sabattis, and Paul; Ambassador Dana;

Secretary of State Dunlap; Treasurer Beck; Attorney General Frey; Auditor Buckley;

Honorable Members of the 129th Legislature;

Three months have passed since the general election.

Two months since the Legislature was sworn in.

Governor Janet Mills appeared before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee during a public hearing Thursday to testify in support of legislation to amend the Constitution of Maine to prevent discrimination based on an individual’s sex.