There was near-unanimous support for L.D. 1626 among those giving testimony, while details of the governor’s alternative plan emerged behind the scenes.
Gov. Janet Mills
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills unveils budget blueprint for projected $822 million surplus
The release of the supplemental budget proposal will kick off negotiations in the Legislature – a process complicated by election-year politics, with the governor’s office and the entire Legislature up for grabs.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills’ proposed $500 checks would reach more Mainers than previous relief payment
About 800,000 taxpayers would benefit from the proposal, including 275,000 people who were ineligible last year because they were retirees, self-employed or business owners.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills calls for $500 checks to Maine residents, investments in education and health care
In her State of the State address Thursday, the governor touted progress the state has made in fighting the pandemic while sounding caution about the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
Gov. Mills unveils $20 million plan for free tuition at Maine community colleges
About 8,000 students would be eligible under the program, funded by a one-time transfer to the Maine Community College System.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills’ State of the State address to focus on pandemic response, budget surplus
The high-profile speech comes as Mainers grow weary of pandemic restrictions and as Mills and her party hope to retain control of the Blaine House and both chambers of the Legislature in November’s elections.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Gov. Mills proposes electric bill credit for 90,000 low-income Mainers
The one-time, $90-per-customer credit, to be issued by the end of March, would help offset higher electricity rates.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills unveils $8 million plan to improve child protection in Maine
The plan would strengthen the office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman and add child protection caseworkers to cover weekends, nights and holidays, among other initiatives.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Mills administration cracking down on employer wage and hour violations
The state Department of Labor returned about $470,000 in unpaid wages to Maine workers in 2021, almost double the amount in 2019. Now it is naming violators online.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Bipartisan group of lawmakers asks Mills to raise pensions for retired state workers
People receiving benefits under the Maine Public Employees Retirement System got the maximum 3% cost-of-living adjustment last summer, but it wasn’t enough to cover the 5.4% rate of inflation.