Governor Janet Mills proposed $300 relief checks in her final State of the State Address, targeting affordability issues amidst her campaign against Senator Susan Collins. Despite the speech’s theatrical elements and partisan reactions, Matt argues that governors lack the “bully pulpit” influence of presidents. They criticize Mills’ proposal as ineffective, citing state-created affordability issues and questioning the rationale behind relief checks. Matt suggests that Mills’ speech is more about political optics than substantive policy, especially given her primary challenge from political newcomer Graham Platner.