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Declaration mobilizes State resources for hard hit Maine counties

MEMA, Maine DOT, and Public Safety officials continue to work around the clock to assess damage & support and advance recovery efforts

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has declared a State of Civil Emergency for 14 Maine counties following a significant wind and rain storm that has left hundreds of thousands of people without power and that has caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage, including to the state’s federal-aid highways.

Governor Janet Mills announced that she is closing all State of Maine offices for the full day today, Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Previously, State offices were scheduled to open at 12:00 p.m. today.  

Cross Office Building to remain closed all day to remove damaged scaffolding

Governor Janet Mills has delayed the opening of State of Maine offices until 12:00 p.m. tomorrow Tuesday, December 19, 2023. The Cross Office Building, located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta, will remain closed all day tomorrow to remove scaffolding damaged by the storm.

Grant awards to six Maine schools will significantly expand educator apprenticeship opportunities

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration has awarded six schools a total of $985,000 to recruit, train, and retain educators through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pilot programs. Associate Commissioner of Labor Samantha Dina and Associate Commissioner of Education Megan Welter announced the awards during a Zoom press conference today.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that State of Maine offices will close at 1:00 p.m. today, Monday, December 18, 2023 to allow State employees to travel home safely in the wind storm, which is expected to grow stronger throughout the day.

“I have directed the early closure of State of Maine offices to allow State employees to commute home before dark,” said Governor Mills. “With the storm expected to grow stronger in the coming hours, I encourage all Maine people to be safe and vigilant and to exercise caution when traveling.”

IRS responded to Commissioner Figueroa's recent letter correcting their decision and confirming energy relief payments will not be subject to Federal taxation.

In response to an appeal from the Mills Administration, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today that Maine's $450 Winter Energy Relief Payments will not be subject to federal tax.

Governor also congratulates four Maine employers for earning national recognition for their efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration's 2023 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign resulted in the hiring of 237 veterans and military family members by Maine employers, which is more than double the campaign's goal of 100 hires in 100 days.

Friday is the last day to enroll to ensure coverage for January 2024

Belgrade, MAINE – During a visit to Belgrade Regional Health Center today, Governor Mills reminded Maine residents who lack affordable health coverage that Friday, December 15, 2023, is the deadline to sign up through CoverME.gov, Maine’s health insurance marketplace, for an affordable health plan that starts at the beginning of the new year.

Mills Administration is investing $3.5 million to support an innovative walk-in crisis center in Kennebec County and expanded treatment beds in Washington County

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration and local partners are taking steps to expand access to substance use disorder treatment services in Kennebec and Washington counties.

In accordance with a directive of the President, Governor Janet Mills has ordered that the United States and State of Maine flags be flown at half-staff statewide until sunset today in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The Governor issued the following statement:

Bangor, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills joined American icon Dolly Parton today to officially launch a Maine statewide expansion of the singer-songwriter's namesake Imagination Library book-gifting program.

Awards to three Maine organizations from the Governor’s Energy Office will help create clean energy business incubator and accelerator programs

Governor Janet Mills today announced $1.3 million in grant awards to three organizations to support the development of innovative clean energy businesses in Maine. The grants are awarded by the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) through the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) program, an energy workforce and business development initiative of the Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:

Governor Janet Mills and State Treasurer Henry Beck announced today that Fitch Ratings, one of the top three credit rating agencies internationally, along with Moody's and Standard & Poor's, has revised their Rating Outlook for Maine from Stable to Positive and affirmed its AA rating on long-term IDR (Issuer Default Rating) for the bonds of the State of Maine.

$570,000 investment from the Governor’s Jobs Plan will allow Northern Penobscot Tech Region III to expand opportunities for certification in welding

Lincoln, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills joined community leaders today in Lincoln at a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of a major expansion of Northern Penobscot Tech Region III funded by a $570,000 investment from the Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

Flags should be lowered beginning on Saturday, November 25

In accordance with a directive of the President, Governor Janet Mills has ordered that the United States and State of Maine flags be lowered to half-staff statewide in honor of the late former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 96. Consistent with the President’s directive, flags should be lowered this Saturday, November 25, and remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Mrs. Carter’s interment, Wednesday, November 29.

Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey issued the following joint statement today in response to a request for subpoena power by the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston:

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today on the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Governor Janet Mills sent a letter today to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) urging them to completely exclude Lobster Management Area 1 (LMA 1) from the Wind Energy Area (WEA) for potential wind power development in the Gulf of Maine. The letter was sent following last month’s release of the draft WEA which excluded much of LMA 1, but identified two Secondary Areas within LMA 1 for further input and possible inclusion in the final WEA.

Program provides discounted internet access for more than 230,000 Maine households

Governor Janet Mills has joined a bipartisan group of twenty-five fellow governors in urging Congressional leaders to provide additional funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in honor of Veterans Day:

Governor & AG to Commission: “All that we ask is that you follow the facts, wherever they may lead, and that you do so in an independent and objective manner, biased by no one and guided only by the pursuit of truth.”

Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey today formally established the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston.

SBA Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Mills makes available low-interest loans to businesses and nonprofits impacted by shelter-in-place orders

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved her request to make emergency financial assistance available to Maine businesses directly impacted by the October 25th tragedy in Lewiston.

Lewiston, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills joined President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden during their visit to Lewiston today to honor the victims of last week's tragedy and their families.

After meeting with first responders, nurses, and others on the front lines of the response, President Biden and Governor Mills delivered remarks paying respect to the victims of the attack and those who have worked to save lives.

The complete text of the Governor’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are as follows:

President Biden, Dr. Biden –