AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Maine Governor Janet Mills has submitted her first biennial budget to the State Legislature.
The governor’s budget proposal was released on Friday. It calls for $126 million for K-12 education, funds to cover Medicaid expansion, and creating a Medicaid Reserve Account. According to Mills’ office, the proposal would not increase taxes or tap into the rainy day fund.
Mills says she’s expanded Medicaid coverage to over 3,000 Mainers since moving ahead on expansion on her first day.
The budget represents an 11% increase over the current $7.2 billion, two-year budget.
“As Governor my priority has always been to solve problems – to marshal every sector of government and every private organization,business, and person to come together, identify the challenges we face, and create responsible solutions that improve life for every person in Maine,” said Governor Mills in a statement.
The budget also includes $5.5 million to combat the opioid epidemic, increases in revenue sharing and property tax relief, funding for a Washington County Pre-Release Center, 15 new state troopers and sergeants, and funding to fill public health nursing vacancies, among other initiatives.
The governor will deliver her first State of the Budget address on Monday.
