Governor Janet Mills unveiled her biennial $10.3 billion budget proposal on Wednesday.
Education is a major focus of the proposal, which includes $101 million to fulfill the state’s obligation to fund 55 percent of local education costs. The proposal also sets aside $58 million to fund universal free meals for students in public schools and publicly funded students in approved private schools.
It also includes millions for improving the child welfare system, workforce housing, transportation investments, combating climate change, and property tax relief.
The governor’s office says the budget proposal is balanced and doesn’t raise taxes. They said it also doesn’t dip into the state’s rainy day fund, which stands at about $900 million.
“This strong, balanced budget is another step forward in supporting the health and welfare of Maine people and in strengthening Maine communities,” said Kirsten Figueroa, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. “It is fiscally responsible, ensuring that expenditures do not exceed revenues while maintaining our record high Rainy Day Fund to weather potential challenges in the future.”
Last week, Gov. Mills signed into law a $474 million heating assistance package, which includes sending out $450 checks to most Maine taxpayers to help deal with rising fuel costs this winter.
Some Republicans in Augusta, including Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, point to the size of the rainy day fund and say Mainers are taxed too much. Some have also criticized the budget for increasing spending without a tax cut.
Nick Murray with the Maine Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, also blasted the governor’s plan.
“Governor Mills continues to show that she has no fiscal restraint. Piling on almost $1 billion in additional spending is not fiscally responsible,” Murray said in a statement Wednesday. “Mainers continue to be fleeced by inflation and one of the highest tax burdens in the country. Meanwhile, state government coffers have never been more flush with cash.”
