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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.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement this evening after signing LD 1733, legislation to implement the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan:

After the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee last night voted out along party lines legislation to implement the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today urging lawmakers to continue working to achieve the 2/3 bipartisan support necessary to implement the plan and its critical investments immediately:

Governor Janet Mills today vetoed LD 1708, An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company. In her veto message, the Governor called the recent performance of Maine’s utilities “abysmal” and said that “it may well be that the time has come for the people of the State of Maine to retake control over the [utilities’] assets”, but she raised several outstanding concerns about the substance of the bill, noting that those concerns combined with a rushed legislative process could create more problems than the bill solves.

New law builds on Mills Administration’s work to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care

Prohibition preserves State waters for recreation and fishing – where up to 75 percent of Maine’s commercial lobster harvesting occurs – and cements into law Maine’s priority of locating offshore wind projects in Federal waters in the Gulf of Maine.

In coming weeks, Governor’s Energy Office to move forward astrategic plan for Maine’s offshore wind industry and the country’s first research area for floating offshore wind, located in the Gulf of Maine

Kay Spofford of Winslow wins grand prize of $896,809

Governor Janet Mills announced today that Kay Spofford of Winslow has won $896,809 in Maine’s Don’t Miss Your Shot: Vaccinationland Sweepstakes, a statewide program to encourage Maine people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Governor Janet Mills today signed the revised Fiscal Year 2022-2023 biennial budget into law, making a historic investment in Maine public schools and keeping a promise from the Governor to meet the State’s obligation to pay 55 percent of the cost of K-12 education for the first time in the state’s history. The budget garnered strong, bipartisan support in the Legislature yesterday with the House approving it 123-23 and the Maine Senate approving it 32-2.

Governor Janet Mills has vetoed the following bills:

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement after the Legislature approved the biennial budget with strong bipartisan support today: 

In remarks delivered during the last scheduled COVID-19 media briefing today, Governor Janet Mills welcomed the end of Maine’s nearly sixteen month long State of Civil Emergency and paid tribute to Maine people for their perseverance throughout the pandemic.

Executive Order, which seeks to balance environmental concerns with forest management needs, follows veto of LD 125

Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order directing the Maine Forest Service and the Board of Pesticides Control to review rules related to the aerial application of synthetic herbicides and to recommend changes to further protect rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, brooks, wetlands, wildlife and human habitat and other natural resources.

Governor Mills has signed the following bills into law: