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Gov. Janet T. Mills proposes $300 relief checks, housing investment and permanent free community college in final State of the State
Summary
In her final State of the State address to a joint convention, Gov. Janet T. Mills proposed $300 affordability relief checks, a $70 million housing package to build roughly 825 homes, and making two years of community college permanently free, while urging action on health-care funding and energy policy.
Governor Janet T. Mills addressed a joint convention of the Maine Legislature to deliver her final State of the State, outlining measures aimed at easing household costs and expanding housing and education opportunities.
Mills proposed sending a one-time $300 affordability relief check to eligible Mainers, to be drawn from the state’s rainy day fund and capped by income (her remarks specified caps roughly at $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers). "I propose that we help Maine people breathe a little easier... by sending them an affordability relief check for $300 each," Mills said.
She also unveiled a $70 million “American Dream” housing initiative that would use one-time funds to fund pilot programs and expand existing housing programs. "This American dream proposal will result in 825 new homes all across Maine," Mills said, describing a mix of pilots and investments designed to trigger matching funds and increase production.
On education, Mills urged the Legislature to make two years of community college permanently free. "Let's make community college free in Maine permanently," she said, citing the program’s existing statewide enrollment and workforce benefits.
Mills proposed a statewide ban on cell phone use during the school day, arguing the change would reduce classroom distractions and improve student performance. "When cell phones are removed from classrooms, research shows that student performance improves," she said.
On health care, Mills defended the state’s Medicaid expansion and warned of federal cuts. She proposed a $2.25 million one-time appropriation in the supplemental budget to replace federal funding reductions to family-planning providers. "We will replace the money that this president and Congress have cruelly cut from Planned Parenthood and Maine Family Planning's primary care services," Mills said.
Mills framed the proposals as both immediate relief and long-term investments, saying the rainy day fund — at its legal maximum, she said — can be used for one-time supports and housing pilot programs. She tied the agenda to broader themes of economic growth, infrastructure, and protecting Maine’s democratic institutions.
What happens next: Mills asked the Legislature to promptly approve the measures in her supplemental budget and signaled her intent to press for the proposals in the coming days. No formal votes on the supplemental measures were recorded in this session record; the proposals were presented to the Legislature for consideration.
Sources and attribution: Direct quotes and policy proposals are taken from Governor Mills’ address to the joint convention (address delivered in the Hall of the House).
