Mills tells lawmakers her $8 billion state budget is 'sustainable'

Mills tells lawmakers her $8 billion state budget is ‘sustainable’

Saying Maine 'cannot afford to stand still,' the governor defends plans to expand Medicaid, spend more on education and fighting the opioid crisis, and return more money to cities and towns.

https://www.centralmaine.com/2019/02/11/mills-lays-out-8-billion-budget-proposal-before-lawmakers/

By Kevin Miller and Scott Thistle Portland Press Herald

AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills laid out her $8 billion budget before the Legislature on Monday night, arguing for a proposal that expands Medicaid, spends more on the opioid crisis and returns more money to municipalities by telling lawmakers Maine “cannot afford to stand still.”

In the first budget address of her tenure as governor, Mills said that Maine “has many assets but it also has many challenges” as the state lags behind its New England neighbors on economic expansion, income growth and public health. Mills said her two-year, $8 billion budget “moves us forward” by making investments in schools, infrastructure and health initiatives without raising taxes.

“This is a pragmatic, common-sense budget that lives within our means and that delivers what Maine people want,” said Mills, a former attorney general and Democratic state lawmaker who is Maine’s first female governor.

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“Paul LePage said teachers are ‘a dime a dozen.’ Shawn Moody lost the election when he said Maine schools are ‘overfunded.’ Based on the reactions of the Republicans to Governor Mills’ budget speech tonight, they’ve clearly learned nothing,” House Majority Leader Matt Moonen, D-Portland, tweeted shortly after Mills’ speech.

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It's so refreshing to read uplifting news from a state that has reclaimed its government in the name of sanity.