Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the first woman governor of Maine and the state’s first woman AG, signed into law a $9.8 billion current services budget that will ensure the continued operations of state government for the next biennium.  The Governor also signed a proclamation calling the Legislature back into session next Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

“I would have preferred to sign a budget that has bipartisan support, but the possibility of a government shutdown – which would be extremely harmful to Maine people is something I cannot accept.  This current services budget averts the potential for a shut down, funds essential government services and delivers certainty and stability to municipalilties, school systems and others that rely on state resources.

“This should not – and will not be the last word on the budget, I recognize that tensions are high, but there is still a lot of work left to do, with room – I believe – for compromise.  I urge Democrats and Republicans to reset and to begin anew the work of negotiating their priorities during the next round of budget discussions.  I look forward to continuing to engage with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to find common ground.”

“Do Republilcans not want Democrats to succeed?” asks this blogger from munjoyhillnews.com.