Maine Governor Janet Mills has signed a $430 million supplemental budget into law, providing additional funding for various state programs and initiatives.
The budget includes $302 million in one-time expenses, with $60 million allocated for winter storm relief and $127 million for general fund appropriations for the remainder of the biennium. It adds to the current $10.34 billion biennial state budget.
Governor Mills emphasized the importance of the budget in addressing urgent needs for Maine residents. The budget includes $76 million for affordable housing initiatives, including emergency housing, low-income housing tax credits, and homeownership programs. Education funding receives $21 million to maintain the state’s 55% share of K-12 education costs, while $26 million is dedicated to supporting nursing homes.
Healthcare investments include $14.1 million for expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income seniors, $12.9 million for child care, and $19.6 million for mental health and public health services. The budget also sets a minimum wage increase for education technicians and other hourly school support staff starting in July 2025, with the state covering the cost in the first year and sharing it with local school districts thereafter.
Additionally, two positions are created in a new Office of New Americans to support immigrant integration. Governor Mills also signed bills authorizing a $25 million bond for research and development projects and a $30 million bond for trail improvements, both of which will appear on the November ballot. The budget also expands the authority of tribal courts to prosecute certain crimes occurring on their lands.
