AUGUSTA - Governor Janet Mills delivered her State of the State address in-person tonight before a Joint Convention of the State Legislature in the House Chamber. The Presiding Officers released the following statements:
Senate President Troy Jackson:
"To begin 2022 on solid financial footing with an $822 million surplus marks a huge sigh of relief after the past two years. But make no mistake, that doesn't mean we are out of the woods, nor does it mean that working Maine families and small businesses aren't struggling to get by. Mainers are counting on us to rein in the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, provide relief for energy and utility bills, invest in good-paying jobs, support our critical care workers and tackle rising property taxes. Sure, we've made progress on some of these issues but our work is far from over."
"Tonight, Governor Mills made clear that she is committed to working with all of us Democrats, Republicans and Independents to get things done and give Mainers the life they deserve. Tonight, she committed to fully funding school meals, paying our child care workers more and providing relief to Maine people on utility bills. We also heard proposals to invest in our workforce and expand access to education. This must be the start of our work, not the end.
"I know addressing these challenges wont be easy but these issues are too important to let get caught up in partisan politics. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with Governor Mills, Speaker Fecteau and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver for Mainers."
Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau:
"When I began my service in the Legislature, I wanted Maine to do more to prevent young people my age from leaving the state. I've dedicated my service to strengthening Maine as a place to live and work and I am thankful that Governor Mills has spent much of her term pushing to strengthen our workforce and improve Maine's economy even through difficult years.
"Tonight, the Governor underscored her commitment to responsible governing, showing she is both looking to the future and tackling the immediate challenges facing families. I am heartened to see her commitment to the workforce behind our workforce, Maine's child care workers. Working families cannot afford to see child care providers lose staff and the Governor's plan will continue to invest in childcare.
"There were actual solutions for Maine's economy in this address; from revamping the student debt credit for people who live and work in our state to making community college affordable, these initiatives will attract young people to live and work here, growing our workforce. As the Governor noted, Maine is leading the nation in economic growth and recovery. Maine families and businesses are bouncing back and we are here to support them. "
Contact:
Christine Kirby (Jackson), (207) 294-2468
Jenna Howard (Fecteau), (207) 214-3185