For generations, Maine lobstermen and women have made their livelihoods from our coastal waters.

But over the past several years, our hardworking fishing families have been the victims of unfair attacks and draconian regulations that would ruin their lives and put an end to the lobster fishery as we know it.

Well, my administration and Maine’s Congressional Delegation worked together to fight back.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

Look, Maine lobster fishermen are committed to protecting the endangered right whale.

In fact, our lobstermen and women helped develop measures to protect right whales, and they have complied with difficult and onerous Federal regulations, removing as many as 30,000 miles of line from the water and spending tens of thousands of dollars out of their own pockets – at a huge expense – to modify or outright change up their gear to protect right whales.

Despite this fact, the Federal government, going back to the previous administration – pushed by extremist organizations who got the ear of a Federal Court judge in Washington – has been moving ahead with new regulations that would put an end to Maine’s lobster industry and hurt thousands of hardworking Maine people.

They are doing this based not on solid data, but on speculation, estimates, surmise – on the theoretical possibility that a right whale could be injured or killed.

They have done this even when there has never been a single right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve worked very closely with all members of our Congressional Delegation to draft and secure passage of a provision in an end-of-year federal spending bill that keeps Maine’s lobster fishery in operation.

This provision is a straightforward, commonsense compromise that will place a six year pause on new regulations, and that will allow our lobstermen to continue to operate while still complying with the most recent right whale rule.

It also creates a new grant program that may fund innovative gear technologies and the monitoring that will help the Maine Department of Marine Resources manage the fishery.

Although there is still work ahead, this provision offers a lifeline to Maine lobstermen and the industry at large. Without it, it’s no exaggeration to say that Maine’s lobster industry could be facing a complete shutdown—and the effects of that across our state would not only be profound; they would be absolutely devastating.

Look, our lobster fishermen, who set out from our docks before dawn, and who haul traps in all kinds of weather, who feed their families and their neighbors and our state’s economy with their catch – they are truly at the heart of Maine.

And as someone with deep roots in Stonington, where my ancestors fished and risked their lives, Maine fishermen have my deepest respect and my strongest support. I will continue to fight with everything I have to protect them and their families.

I want to personally thank Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King, Representatives Pingree and Golden, for their deep collaboration and great bipartisan teamwork.

I hope by the time you hear this message, that our measure will have become law and that our fishermen up the coast of Maine will all have a good holiday to celebrate this weekend.

And this weekend, remember those in need, those who are unhoused, those who are hungry – and I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to the Maine Legislature and to the ad hoc Appropriations Committee, who voted unanimously to support our emergency housing and heating fuel assistance bill. It is so needed, and I look forward to a positive vote by the full Maine Legislature in the coming weeks.

Remember the needy, the disadvantaged, the hungry, and unhoused this holiday weekend. Please, stay safe.

This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.

Well, it’s here – the holiday season is upon us. As families across Maine put up trees, and wreaths, and lights, and as, this very weekend, our Jewish friends light the first candle on the menorah to mark the beginning of Hanukkah, we know that we are in the full swing of holiday season. 

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Thankfully, this holiday season is looking to be a full return to the traditions we celebrated before the pandemic. And I know Maine people are looking forward to enjoying this time of year with friends and family. I am, too. 

But, hey, if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet, or if you are a bit of a last-minute shopper as I am, I wanted to take the opportunity to encourage you and all Maine people to shop local this holiday season.

You know, Maine is home to more than 150,000 small businesses – that’s 99 percent of all businesses in our state and many of them are retail businesses selling local products. These businesses are the cornerstones of our downtowns, the employers of our friends and family members, and they are a big driver of our economy.

I guarantee you this – no matter who you’re shopping for, you can find a special gift made here in Maine and sold right here in Maine. If you need a little inspiration, our state’s “Maine Made” program is a great place to start.

From specialty soaps handcrafted in Fort Kent to surfboards made with Maine wood in York, guitars made in Lewiston, the guide is a great resource for local products made and sold all across our state. 

All you got to do is visit mainemade.com. That’s mainemade.com.

M-a-i-n-e M-a-d-e dot com. Check it out. You’ll find some pretty great things.

When you buy local, you’ll not only make a loved one feel special with a great gift, but you’ll be supporting Maine small businesses and the good people they employ, and our economy in the process.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting Maine small businesses this year, and, as always, be sure to check-in on your neighbors and be kind to one another – this season, and every season.

This is Governor Janet Mills wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season – and thank you for listening.

Like many of you, I am deeply concerned about the impact that high energy prices – from home heating oil to electricity – are having on Maine families.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

With the help of the Legislature, my Administration has already taken steps to help low and middle-income families, and older Maine people, and small businesses with the rising costs of energy. 

And this week, I’ve proposed an emergency winter energy relief plan to send more help to Maine people who need it the most this winter.

Here’s what’s in the emergency winter energy relief plan:

• First, a Winter Energy Relief Payment of $450 to about 880,000 Maine people, or about $900 for the average Maine family. You will be eligible if you make less than $100,000 and file your taxes single or married and filing separately; of if you make less than $150,000 if you file as head of household; or if you make less than $200,000 if you file jointly; 
• Secondly, there’s a $40 million fund to supplement the Home Energy Assistance Program to help recipients receive a financial benefit equal to last year’s, that’s LIHEAP;
• Thirdly, $10 million to Maine Community Action Partnerships to help them deliver emergency fuel assistance to prevent people from running out of heating fuel and experiencing a heating crisis;
• Fourthly, $21 million for the Emergency Housing Relief Fund. The Legislature and I created that fund earlier this year to support emergency housing and emergency shelters to keep people from experiencing homelessness this winter. 

This plan in total incorporates the feedback of both Republican and Democratic leadership in the Legislature. It also builds on the nation-leading inflation relief measures we delivered earlier this year and it is the fastest, most direct way to get help directly to Maine people as we work to bring down energy costs over the long-term.

We’ve got to ease the burden on Maine people by putting money back into their pockets so they can afford these energy costs and ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are able to stay warm this winter.

I ask the Legislature to pass this plan with the support needed to enact it as an emergency measure so we can this relief into the hands of Maine people without delay.

In the meantime, I am taking some executive action to distribute additional heating aid to low-income older Maine people. During the week of December 12, the Department of Health and Human Services will provide one-time payments of $500 to about 13,000 households which include low-income Maine people 65 or older to help them pay their heating costs.

With colder weather around the corner, please be sure to check-in on your neighbors and those who might be at risk. If you or someone you know needs resources to stay warm this winter, please look at our Winter Heating Guide. It’s found at maine.gov/energy/winter-heating-resources. 

This is Governor Janet Mills. Please stay warm and thank you for listening.

Like many Maine people, I remain deeply concerned about the impact that high energy prices – from home heating oil to electricity – are having on Maine people.

This week, we got a bit of helpful news and I think it will help us finish up an emergency winter energy relief plan for the Legislature to consider.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

The State of Maine budget continues to be in the black as a result of Federal support and the good fiscal management of my Administration and the Legislature.

Earlier this week, Maine’s nonpartisan Revenue Forecasting Committee upgraded the State’s General Fund revenue forecast by an additional $282 million for the current biennium, which ends June 2023.

These anticipated revenues will help us address Maine’s most pressing needs – like the need for emergency heating assistance for Maine families this winter.

With the help of the Legislature, my Administration has already taken direct action to help Maine people with the rising costs of energy. These acts include:

• Returning more than half of the state’s budget surplus last spring to Maine people through $850 inflation relief checks as well as
• successfully pressuring the Congress for increased funding for Federal heating assistance programs and
• securing a one-time bill credit of $90 for tens of thousands of low-income customers of Central Maine Power and Versant.
• Also, we provided $800 in heating cost relief to nearly 13,000 low-income households to help pay for high energy costs.
• And we provided up to $1,400 in tax relief for eligible low- and middle-income families and seniors and;
• We provided a tiered credit of up to $3,000 a piece to Maine small businesses to offset their increased electricity costs.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be working closely with the Maine Legislature to provide more financial relief – particularly for middle-class and low-income people whose incomes are stretched thin right now – and help them remain safe and secure in their homes this winter.

If you or someone you know needs resources to stay warm this winter, please take a look at our Winter Heating Guide at maine.gov/energy/winter-heating-resources. Help is available and more help is on the way.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Thanksgiving is a time for Maine people to gather with family and friends and loved ones, to appreciate life’s blessings, and to welcome others to our tables, to our homes, and into our hearts.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

This holiday season, I am so looking forward to playing with the grandchildren, cooking turkey and pies and green bean casserole, sharing time with my daughters and their children, and pausing at the very end of a very busy year to rest and reflect on the things for which I am most grateful.

A famous, ancient philosopher once said “gratitude is the highest virtue.” It is gratitude that should be in our hearts this weekend and every weekend.

And I am grateful that our state is blessed with people who value one another. People who extend a helping hand when neighbors need it most. People in Maine are independent and we are resilient, but we know we can rely on each other. 

So this Thanksgiving, let’s remember to take stock of life’s blessings, to share in love and laughter with our families and friends, and to reach out to those who are struggling this holiday season. 

As Governor I’ll continue to do all I can to address the challenges we face and to celebrate what makes our state the very best place to live and work and raise a family.

I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, recycling enjoys the support of the vast majority of the people of Maine who now have the opportunity to participate in recycling programs; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine recognizes that “closing the loop” and buying products with sustainable/recycled content is essential to the success of recycling and practices this principle in its purchases; and

WHEREAS, for over three decades, the State of Maine has made the commitment to the waste management strategy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; and

WHEREAS, every child deserves a permanent, loving family and the opportunity to grow in a safe, stable, and trusted environment; and

WHEREAS, adoptive parents open their hearts and families to children in need of a home, providing them with love, hope, guidance and the opportunity for a healthy and productive future; and

WHEREAS, state agencies, courts, and public and private organizations here in Maine and across the nation are dedicated to finding families for children of all ages; and

WHEREAS, started in 1988 and recognized annually on December 1st, World AIDS Day is a global event to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and to honor and support those living with and affected by HIV; and

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

You know every year, on November 11^th, Maine and the nation pause to honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who have served Maine and the nation in the United States Armed Forces.

Our state has a proud legacy of military service. From the 20th Maine’s valiant defense of Little Round Top to the Maine National Guardsmen and women who will deploy around the world next year, Maine people have always stepped up to serve when our nation has called on them.

In fact, during the Civil War, our state contributed a higher proportion of citizens to the Union army than any other state in the nation. Today, Maine consistently ranks among the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. Nearly 10 percent of our state’s entire population has served in the military.

As the daughter and sister of Maine veterans, I have a deep and abiding respect for those who have dedicated their lives to the safety and security of our nation, and for the families that support them.

While Veterans Day occurs only once a year, as Governor, I’m committed to ensuring that our state stands up for veterans every day. Look, our veterans stood by us, and it’s our responsibility now to stand by them.

Earlier this year, the board of the Maine Veterans’ Homes announced that they would close their Caribou and Machias locations.

I was pleased to partner with Senate President Troy Jackson and the Maine Veterans Home Board of Trustees to provide the funding necessary to keep them open. The measure received unanimous support – a testament to Maine’s unwavering support of our veterans.

As governor, I’ve reestablished the Aides-de-Camp program, which brings together veterans from all branches of the military, and the several members of my cabinet who are also veterans, to advise me on issues of importance to those who have served.

We’ve also expanded health and dental care to Maine veterans, by expanding Medicaid and by launching the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network with Northeast Delta Dental – a program that has received national recognition.

And my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is investing directly in efforts to solve our worker shortages by attracting new veteran families to Maine and connecting them with available jobs.

As governor, I am committed to making our state the best in the nation for veterans to live, work, retire, and care for their families.

To all Maine veterans: on behalf of the State of Maine, I thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart.

This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

As your Governor, I promised you I would work hard every day to get things done. Because that’s how I’ve spent my career – working hard and fighting for the people of Maine. 

And that's what I've done. I have fought for you every day. 

We've been through some tough times together. With your help, I led Maine through a pandemic that threatened the lives and livelihoods of our people, and I am proud to say we succeeded better than nearly every state in the country. 

And we've made progress. 

Today, our unemployment rate is low, we have more jobs than we did before the pandemic, and our economic growth is 11th best in the nation. 

We have expanded lifesaving health care to more than 95,000 people. 

We fully funded our schools for the first time in Maine history and gave teachers a pay raise. 

We cut taxes for retirees, we delivered property and income tax relief, and put $850 back into your pocket to fight inflation – the strongest inflation relief measure in the country.

We are investing in our workforce and in small businesses.

We’ve balanced every budget and we’ve built up the Rainy Day Fund to a record high — all without raising taxes. 

Look, we have been through some challenging times these past few years, and I know there are challenges ahead. Global inflation is hitting us. It’s hurting Maine people. Gas prices are high, and the cost of oil is worrying many of us. We've got a workforce shortage. It’s one that I inherited, but one that I won't leave to our grandchildren to solve.

These are the challenges that are going to be my first order of business next month when the new Legislature convenes.

I promise to keep working with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats to support you — the Maine people — and to find ways to put money back into your pocket, to lower costs for you and your family, and to strengthen our economy so that your kids can live a long, happy, and healthy life right here in our state.

We've got more work to do, so let's get to it. 

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.