Newsroom

Strategy will guide state’s work to ensure older Mainers thrive in their communities

The Mills Administration announced today Maine’s final Age-Friendly State Plan, the culmination of more than a year of collaboration with AARP and more than 50 other organizations throughout the state to craft a comprehensive strategy to help Maine’s older residents live well and safely in their communities.

Task force will consider forest carbon storage incentives for small-to-medium size woodland owners to help protect their property while fighting climate change

As part of Maine’s ambitious effort to fight climate change by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, Governor Janet Mills has signed an Executive Order to create the Maine Forest Carbon Task Force.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that, as a result of the generosity of the Kraft family, Maine will send four health care superheroes to Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida as part of an all-expenses paid trip that includes roundtrip travel on the New England Patriots team plane.

With severe inclement weather expected this evening and throughout tomorrow, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine offices closed tomorrow February 2, 2021:

Governor Janet Mills today applauded President Biden’s decision to open HealthCare.gov for a “Special Enrollment Period,” from February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021:

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will end the 9:00 p.m. early closing time for businesses, effective Monday, February 1, 2021. The decision is the result of Maine’s improving public health metrics, including a decrease in Maine’s positivity rate and new COVID-19 cases per million.

Starting February 1, those businesses that had been subject to the requirement may resume evening operating hours while continuing to follow other public health and safety requirements outlined in the COVID-19 Prevention Checklists.

The Mills Administration today welcomed a series of Executive Actions taken by President Biden to address the global threat of climate change. Since taking office, Governor Mills has committed Maine to transitioning to a clean energy economy and carbon neutral future, goals which align with the President’s actions.

Governor asks departments to identify potential Federal funding that may be able to maintain balanced budget & adopt Federal tax treatment of PPP loans 

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has asked her departments to explore whether Federal funding may exist to help Maine provide the same beneficial tax treatment to PPP funds that the Federal government has.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s commitment to increase the number of COVID-19 vaccines distributed to states over the coming weeks:  

In letter to fishing industry, Governor Mills affirms Maine’s commitment to the climate, energy and economic benefits of floating offshore wind, proposes moratorium on new wind projects in more heavily fished state waters

Governor Janet Mills today proposed a series of actions to advance the nation’s first floating offshore wind research array in federal waters and to protect Maine’s more heavily fished state waters.

Governor Janet Mills announced today she has nominated Melanie Loyzim to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Loyzim has served as Acting Commissioner of the DEP since August 14, 2020 and has worked in various roles within the Department since 2006.  

“With Melanie’s extensive experience and her proven commitment to protecting and preserving our precious lands and waters, I am confident that she will ably lead the Department of Environmental Protection,” said Governor Janet Mills. 

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today upon the historic Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: 

“Along with millions of Americans, I was moved by the historic Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris this afternoon. Among other things, for the first time, children across our nation can look upon a woman of color serving her country in the second highest office in the land and know that their futures are limitless. 

Governor Janet Mills today extended the State of Civil Emergency (PDF) through February 17, 2021. The Governor’s decision to extend the emergency is in line with nearly every other state in the nation which have ongoing emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has activated the Maine National Guard and placed them on standby status to support law enforcement, if needed, in advance of potential events at the State Capitol heading into this weekend and next week. The Governor activated the Guard out of an abundance of caution to ensure that Guard members are ready and available to assist law enforcement, if it is determined their support is needed.

Governor Janet Mills released the following today on the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) issuance of its latest request for proposals for renewable energy:

Governor Janet Mills today received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor was vaccinated on the recommendation of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as part of Phase 1a as a person critical to Maine’s COVID-19 response. The Governor leads Maine’s COVID-19 response.

In conjunction with DHHS & Maine CDC, Governor Mills focuses limited vaccine supply on older Mainers and those with high-risk medical conditions who are more likely to become seriously ill or die from COVID-19

Governor Janet Mills today announced updates to Maine’s strategy for distributing its limited allocation of COVID-19 vaccines targeted toward preventing serious illness and saving the lives of Maine people.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendations today to prioritize vaccinations for those 65 and older and those with preexisting conditions:

“My fundamental goal throughout this pandemic has been, and continues to be, to save lives. With the introduction of vaccines last month, we were given a critical new tool in this effort.

Governor Janet Mills, Director of Opioid Response Gordon Smith, and Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services Jeanne Lambrew issued the following statements in response to the report released today by the Maine Attorney General’s Office on drug overdose deaths in the third quarter of 2020:

Today, Governor Janet Mills unveiled her Fiscal Year 2021 supplemental budget proposal and Fiscal Year 2022-2022 biennial budget proposal. Lawmakers, leaders, advocates, and other issued-based experts are praising the proposals for covering pandemic-created budget shortfalls while maintaining critical services that support Maine people:

Here’s what they are saying:

Governor’s proposals focused on critical investments that bolster the State’s COVID-19 response while expanding savings

Governor Janet Mills today submitted to the Legislature a supplemental budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 and a biennial budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 that focus on maintaining vital services and increasing savings without creating new programs.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the violence and destruction at the U.S. Capitol today:

Governor Janet Mills today issued a video statement urging Maine people to be safe tonight heading into the New Year. The video can be viewed HERE and a transcript is below:

“Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills. Like you, I am so looking forward to putting this year behind us completely and stepping into a better, more hopeful New Year. But to do so safely, we’ve got to ring in the New Year differently tonight.