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Maine’s plan to implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act aims to prevent abuse and neglect, reduce the need for foster care, and improve children’s residential treatment

Maine to receive more than $137 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support Maine students and schools

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has approved Maine’s proposal to use American Rescue Plan funding to support in-classroom instruction for Maine children, sustain the safe operation of schools, and equitably expand opportunity for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds will be utilized by newly-created Maine Connectivity Authority to expand access to affordable broadband

Governor Janet Mills today praised an announcement from the U.S. Treasury Department that it is allocating more than $128 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to expand Maine broadband.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services is distributing $146 million to long-term care facilities and hospitals to help with workforce recruitment and retention

The Mills Administration announced today that it will begin enforcement of its COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care workers on October 29, 2021, providing an additional month for health care workers to complete their vaccination protocol and for health care organizations to use $146 million in forthcoming funds to address workforce needs.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the State of Texas’s new law effectively banning all abortions in the state and the U.S. Supreme Court’s failure to intercede to prevent the law from taking effect:

In the wake of yesterday’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Rule, Governor Janet Mills last night sent a letter to Maine’s lobster industry expressing solidarity with them and calling the rule “extremely disappointing”. In the letter to Maine’s lobster harvesters, dealers, and processors, Governor Mills pledges to work with Maine’s Congressional Delegation to determine the best way to address the industry’s and administration’s concerns:

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills issued this statement following the release of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Rule:

Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner Heather Johnson of the Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that they are now accepting applications for the annual Governor’s Award for Business Excellence (GABE).

Maine Department of Health and Human Services boosts rates for substance use disorder treatment and funds recovery program with 20 locations across eight counties; Department of Labor extends employment initiative for Maine people affected by substance use disorder

After Danone, the owner of Horizon Organic, notified 14 Maine organic dairy farms that the global brand intends not to renew contracts for milk with them and other farms across New England Governor Janet Mills and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal released the following statement today pledging to assist the 14 Maine farms:

Maine municipalities can access this Federal funding via a portal unveiled today

Governor Janet Mills announced today that 80 percent of all eligible people in Maine have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, achieving another milestone for the state as it continues to confront an increase in cases associated with the Delta variant. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), 80.2 percent of eligible people in Maine age 12 and older have received a COVID-19 vaccination, one of eight states in the nation to reach the milestone.

Governor Janet Mills is encouraging small businesses in several Maine counties to apply for newly available Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Farm-related entities in Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo counties that have suffered financial losses as a result of the drought that began in Maine on June 22^nd are eligible for low-interest loans from the SBA, the agency announced today.

Governor Janet Mills, Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Nirav D. Shah released the following statements today after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)granted full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older:

Special enrollment period for private health plans for this year ends August 15, extra financial help can make coverage more affordable

AUGUSTA— Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Jeanne Lambrew are urging Maine people to act now to take advantage of their options for affordable health insurance coverage before the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans ends on Sunday, August 15.

Governor Mills’ decision garners support from a broad coalition of health care providers across Maine

Augusta, MAINE – The Mills Administration announced today that it will require health care workers in Maine to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect the health and lives of Maine people, safeguard Maine’s health care capacity, and limit the spread of the virus.

Governor Janet Mills and members of her administration released the following statements in response to the Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released today August 9, 2021:

Governor Janet Mills announced today that 80 percent of adults in Maine have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, achieving another milestone for the state as it continues to confront an increase in cases associated with the Delta variant. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), 80.2 percent of adults (18+) in Maine have received a COVID-19 vaccination, one of six states in the nation to reach the milestone.

Governor Mills continues to urge Maine people to get vaccinated as the best way to protect your health

The Mills Administration announced today that the State of Maine will follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (U.S. CDC) updated face covering guidance, which recommends that:

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) issued updated COVID-19 public health recommendations on when to wear face coverings:

Governor Janet Mills announced today her 2021 selections for the Aides-de-Camp program, an advisory council of military veterans who advise the Governor on policies impacting Maine veterans. The eleven veterans selected to serve are:

With Maine’s blueberry season just around the corner, Governor Janet Mills declared August 7-8, 2021 as Maine’s first annual Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today after the Federal government announced that the United States would keep its borders closed to nonessential travel until at least August 21, 2021:

With deposits exceeding $280 million, State’s savings account has more than doubled under Mills Administration

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration has deposited another $223.6 million into the State’s Budget Stabilization, or so-called “Rainy Day” Fund, bringing it to an historic high of $491.9 million. Since Governor Mills took office, the Administration, with the support of the Legislature, has deposited more than $282 million into the Rainy Day Fund, more than doubling its balance.

Governor Janet Mills today swore in the Board of Directors for the Maine Connectivity Authority, a new State entity charged with achieving universal availability of high-speed broadband in Maine.

The Board of Directors is charged with governing the Authority and is comprised of seven members. The Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development also holds a seat.