Governor Janet T. Mills (D) .

Governor Janet T. Mills (D) today signed into law a $113 billion budget that will ensure the continued operations of State government for the next biennium, as well as provide one-time funding to pay health care providers for MaineCare services and protect Maine forests from spruce budworm.  The Governor also signed a proclamation calling the Legislature back into session next Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Governor Mills issued the following statemenet today:

“Over the last two months, I repeatedlyencouraged Democratic and Republicanleadership to work ktogether so we could avoid this unfortunate outcome.  Howver, I have signed this budget bill because it is in the best interests of the people of Maine.  It will pay Maine hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers, protect Maine forests from spruce budworm and ensure essential government services that Maine people rely on are funded for the biennium.  During this period of significant uncertainity nationally, our people, businesses, municipalities and schools must have stability from their state government.

“But let me be clear — the Legislature has significant work left to do.  It has many hard decisions ahead.  It cannot let t ensions of the moment derail important long-term decisions for Maine people.  This has already delayed needed payments to our health care providers. I will continue to strongly advocate for compromise, bipartisanship and consenses among Democrats and Republicans during forthcoming budget negotiations.”