Governor Janet Mills, the first woman governor of Maine, 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.

The $223.6 million deposit is the result of the State budget, signed into law by Governor Mills, allowing the majority of surplus revenues from Fiscal Year 2021 will be deposited into the Rainy Day Fund for emergencies.  That these surplus revenues exist is tribute to Maine’s solid financial standing, the responsible fiscal moves Governor Mills and the Legislature made throughout 2020 and 2021, prudent management of Departmental spending throughout the pandemic and Federal support for Maine’s economy and people.  As a result, Governor Mills was able to maintain and increase the Budget Stabilization Fund – rather than take from it – while also maintaining critical services for Maine people throughout the pandemic.

Additionally Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s credit rating agencies have cited Maine’s governance practices and its reserves in the Budget Stabilization Fund as grounds for reaffirming Maine’s Aa2 and AA bond ratings, respectively, and for rating Maine’s debt as stable during the pandemic, even while downgrading ratings of other states.

“In the past two and a half years, my Administration has worked in a bipartisan fashion with the Legislature to more than double the Budget Stabilization Fund into this historic high level,” said Governor Mills.  “This sound fiscal management has positioned us well to continue our economic recovery and to send a strong message to bond rating agencies about our financial stability.  I am proud of the progress my Administration and the Legislature have made together on this important front.”