Janet Mills Archives

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Nominates Melanie Loyzim

Governor Mills Nominates Melanie Loyzim to Serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills announced today she has nominated Melanie Loyzim to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Loyzim has served as Acting Commissioner of the DEP since August 14, 2020 and has worked in various roles within the Department since 2006. “With Melanie’s extensive experience and her proven commitment to protecting and preserving our precious lands and waters, I am confident that she will ably lead the Department of Environmental Protection,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I am honored to be nominated by Governor Mills to lead the Department where I have spent much of my career,” said Loyzim. ...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Congratulates President Biden

Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today upon the historic Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: “Along with millions of Americans, I was moved by the historic Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris this afternoon. Among other things, for the first time, children across our nation can look upon a woman of color serving her country in the second highest office in the land and know that their futures are limitless. “The President and Vice President assume office during a difficult time. The coronavirus pandemic rages on, with more Americans falling ill and more people losing their lives every day. Thousands of hardworking people are out of work through no fault of their own. Small businesses a...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Extended State of Civil Emergency

Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills extended the State of Civil Emergency (PDF) through February 17, 2021. The Governor’s decision to extend the emergency is in line with nearly every other state in the nation which have ongoing emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association. For example, the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont (DPF) recently extended their States of Emergency. “Our Administration is working around the clock to take the limited and inconsistent supply of vaccine we receive from the Federal government and turn it around quickly and efficiently to make sure it gets into the arms of as many Maine people as possible. But as we do this, the pandemic rages on all around us,” said Governor Mills. “I urge all Maine people to take the step...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Receives First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills today received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor was vaccinated on the recommendation of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as part of Phase 1a as a person critical to Maine’s COVID-19 response. The Governor leads Maine’s COVID-19 response. The first dose of the Moderna vaccine was administered to the Governor at the Blaine House this morning by James Jarvis, MD, physician leader for Incident Command, Northern Light Health, and director, Clinical Education, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. Governor Mills will receive the second, and final dose, of the vaccine in 28 days. “I have the utmost confidence in the vaccine,” said Governor Janet Mills. “It is safe. It is effective. And it will save l...

Politics

Maine Governor Urges People To Kick Off New Year Safely At Home

Governor Mills Urges Maine People To Kick Off New Year Safely At Home (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills today issued a video statement urging Maine people to be safe tonight heading into the New Year. “Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills. Like you, I am so looking forward to putting this year behind us completely and stepping into a better, more hopeful New Year. But to do so safely, we’ve got to ring in the New Year differently tonight. “There’s a term, “FOMO,” I’ve heard — “Fear of Missing Out.” Many people are feeling left out tonight for a lot of reasons. Many are unable to see or hug their loved ones because of COVID. Tonight, don’t let “fear of missing out” cause you to do things against your better judgment. “Before you think about going out tonight, before you go to a ...

Politics

Maine Governor on The Suspension of Interstate Youth Hockey

Joint Statement from the Offices of Governors Murphy, Mills, Raimondo, Sununu, Scott, Lamont, and Baker on the Suspension of Interstate Youth Hockey Augusta, ME (STL.News) Please note that Maine’s COVID-19 Prevention Checklist for Community Sports already prohibits competition between hockey teams from different geographic areas until January 11, 2021. The joint announcement below is consistent with this policy. In response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will support a regional approach ...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Announces New Face Covering Executive Order

Following Record COVID-19 Cases, Governor Mills Announces New Face Covering Executive Order Face coverings must now be worn in public settings regardless of how far apart you are from other people Augusta, ME (STL.News) On the day Maine recorded 183 new cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Janet Mills announced an Executive Order requiring Maine people to wear face coverings in public settings, regardless of the ability to maintain physical distance. The new order strengthens an earlier one stating that face coverings must be worn only when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Earlier this week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued a similar order. Additionally, owners and operators of all indoor public settings...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Administration Announces “OPTIONS”

Mills Administration Announces “OPTIONS” Initiative to Support Maine People With Substance Use Disorder Augusta, ME (STL.News) To combat the disturbing rise in fatal drug overdoses exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Janet Mills today announced a new “OPTIONS” (Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone and Safety) initiative. Under the initiative, mobile response teams in every Maine county will engage with communities that have high rates of drug overdoses to promote drug prevention and harm reduction strategies, connect people directly to recovery services and treatment, and distribute naloxone, the lifesaving overdose Mills Administration Announces “OPTIONS” Initiative to Support Maine People With Substance Use Disordery has resources to prevent substance use ...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills to launch the Communities development in State with $2.7 million grants

Governor Mills, Boston Fed president announce collaborative effort to strengthen rural towns and small cities with $2.7 million in grants Maine selected as next New England state to participate in community development initiative that aims to empower communities. Augusta, ME (STL.News) Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren today announced the Boston Fed and the State of Maine will collaborate to launch the Working Communities Challenge in Maine. The initiative aims to strengthen Maine’s rural towns and smaller cities and is backed in part by $2.7 million in donations. The challenge supports local teams who work together to improve economic outcomes for all people in Maine’s towns, cities, and rural communities. Successful teams will address e...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Welcome Critical Drought Assistance for Farmers

Augusta, ME (STL.News) Maine’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills welcomed the announcement today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made farmers throughout Maine eligible for disaster relief assistance due to the drought. “Maine farmers have faced tremendous challenges this year, from supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 to the drought that severely impacted the growing season,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden in a joint statement. “Maine farms sustain our rural communities, whether they are newly founded operations or ones that have been passed down from generation to generation. We strongly supported COVID-19 relief funding to help Maine farmers get through this difficult period, and this designation will hel...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Announces Economic Recovery Grants to Small Businesses

Governor Mills Announces First Round of Economic Recovery Grants to Maine Small Businesses & Non-Profits Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Heather Johnson announced today that the Mills Administration has begun distributing the first round of financial awards to Maine small businesses and non-profits through the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program. Grant letters notifying the recipients of their award were sent yesterday in collaboration with Maine’s seven Economic Development Districts, which will distribute funds by early November. The program, backed by $200 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), provides some financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business ...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Recognizes Indigenous Peoples Day

Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills today recognized Indigenous Peoples Day and issued the following statement: “As we celebrate our 200th year as a state, it is important to recognize that our collective history goes much further back long before statehood. Maine’s culture today is in large part the direct result of those who first hunted, farmed, fished and occupied much of the land that we call our home. Today we honor the contributions and resilience of the Indigenous peoples of Maine and examine our shared history with open eyes, open minds and open hearts, pausing in gratitude for the long-standing presence of the Wabanaki tribes in the State of Maine, and recommitting ourselves to our shared future as a place and as a people.” CLICK to VIEW SOURCE

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Administration Announces Maine to Enter Stage 4

Starting October 13, indoor seating limits are increased, enforcement of face coverings is strengthened statewide Augusta, ME (STL.News) The Mills Administration announced today that Maine will move into Stage 4 of the Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2020. With cold weather months approaching, Stage 4 increases limits on indoor seating to 50 percent capacity of permitted occupancy, or 100 people – whichever is less – and maintains the critical public health measures outlined in COVID-19 Prevention Checklists, such as enhanced cleaning practices and physical distancing. Today’s Executive Order also further strengthens the State’s face covering mandate by requiring that a broader set of entities, such as private schools and municipal buildings, ensure that em...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Dedicates $25 Million to Unemployment Trust Fund

Governor Mills Dedicates $25 Million More to Unemployment Trust Fund to Support Maine Businesses & Workers During Pandemic Augusta, ME (STL.News)Amid record nationwide unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration has dedicated an additional $25 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to Maine’s unemployment insurance trust fund. The investment, which builds on the Mills Administration’s previous allocation of $269 million, is expected to significantly reduce an anticipated employer tax increase for 2021 while ensuring benefits are available for those who need them. “Maine businesses and workers are already confronting unprecedented economic hardships caused by the pandemic,” said Governor Janet Mills. “While C...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Announces Additional Financial Support for Schools

To Protect the Health of Students and Staff, Governor Mills Announces Additional Financial Support for School Systems Across Maine Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills today dedicated an additional $164 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to support school systems as they continue to implement health and safety protocols to protect students, staff, and their families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These new funds build on the Mills Administration’s initial investment of $165 million earlier this year. “School officials across Maine are working day and night to protect the health of their students, their staff, and their communities while providing a high quality education. They deserve our full and unwavering support,” said Governor Mills. “This funding helps ensure...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills, PUC Announces Selections in Largest Procurement of Renewable Energy Signed

PUC Announces Selections in Largest Procurement of Renewable Energy in Maine’s History Under Law Signed by Governor Mills Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today after the Public Utilities Commission announced the selections in the largest procurement of renewable energy in Maine’s history: “Today’s announcement is a historic step forward in Maine’s effort to embrace renewable energy, create good paying green-collar jobs, diversify and expand our economy, and combat the threat of climate change. This progress, which is the direct result of bipartisan energy legislation I signed last year, further establishes Maine as a national clean energy leader.” The decision today by the PUC is the result of bipartisan legislation, LD 1494, “An Act To Reform ...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Administration Broadens Standing Order To Get Tested for COVID-19

Mills Administration Broadens Standing Order to Allow Anyone in Maine To Get Tested for COVID-19 State's vastly expanded testing capacity must still be used wisely Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Health and Human Services Jeanne Lambrew announced today that anyone in Maine can now get tested for COVID-19 without the need for a separate order from a health care provider, a milestone resulting from Maine's vastly expanded testing capacity. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has broadened its Standing Order (PDF) to include all individuals who think they need a COVID-19 test. This means that participating sites may test anyone in Maine over the age of 12 months who feels they need a test, even if they don't have a primary care provider o...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Directs Flags Lowered in Honor of Victims and Survivors of 9/11

Augusta, ME (STL.News) In accordance with a directive of the President, Governor Janet Mills directed that the United States and State of Maine flags be lowered to half-staff today statewide in honor of the victims and survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and issued the following statement: “Nineteen years ago today, in the wake of an unimaginable attack against our nation, Americans of all backgrounds stood together, united not only in our grief, but in our resolve to persevere. While terrorists that day took from us our loved ones, including cherished members of our Maine community, they also revealed the unshakable character and strength of the American spirit. Today, as we pause in solemn remembrance of those we lost, and as we pay unending gratitude to our heroic f...