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Gov. Mills proposes $300 relief checks for Mainers in final State of the State address

Gov. Mills proposes $300 relief checks for Mainers in final State of the State address

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Gov. Janet Mills’ final state of the state address Tuesday night included a proposal for $300 relief checks to help address affordability.

Mills will be term-limited out of office at the end of the year and has launched a campaign for U.S. Senate.

Mills says her “American Dream” proposal calls for relief checks, making community college in the state free permanently, and building new housing.

While affordability was a major focus of the speech, the governor also called out actions in Washington without mentioning President Trump by name, saying ICE enforcement tactics in the state have struck fear into local communities:

“Here, power comes from the people. Here, the rule of law reigns. Here, everyone is treated equally under the law and here, we have no kings.”

The comment drew applause from the Democratic side of the aisle.

Some Republicans walked out during the speech when Mills called for reinstating funds for Planned Parenthood and family planning services after cuts by the Trump administration.

House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham criticized the governor for proposing free community college while Mainers are “at a breaking point” as they face new and higher taxes.

Many Republicans also said the proposed relief checks are a ploy to buy votes in an election year.

The checks would be funded by more than $218 million from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the “rainy day” fund.

Maine Republican State Rep. Laurel Libby told the WGAN Morning News the checks are a “gimmick” and would barely offset new taxes Mainers are facing.

The governor also called for a statewide ban on cell phones in schools, citing the impact on mental health and academic performance.

Many school districts in the state already have their own policies in place banning or limiting cell phone use in schools.

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