My father served bravely during World War II in the Pacific Theater. My uncles did too. My father survived the biggest naval battle of World War II history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. My brother served three tours of duty in Vietnam.

I deeply appreciate the service and the sacrifice of all Maine veterans and their loved ones. Our state has always contributed more than our share to the military, to the armed services during periods of combat and other times. My Administration has been working hard to improve services for veterans across Maine. I am deeply concerned about the planned closures of the Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

I was informed last month by the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes that it had voted to close these veterans’ homes in Caribou and Machias because of a projected decrease in the number of veterans served there in the coming years and, like much of the state and nation, a shortage of qualified staff.

While I recognize the challenges these homes are confronting, as are many other nursing homes, the drastic move to close these veterans’ homes will displace more than 70 veterans and spouses, some widows, and will result in the loss of jobs for the people who care for them.

These closures would also significantly reduce the footprint of veterans’ homes across Maine, they would leave no facilities Downeast, none north of Bangor, and they would diminish the long-term care options for veterans in rural Maine. The impact of these closures on our veterans, their families, the employees, and the regions that they serve as a whole cannot be overstated.

That’s why I wrote immediately to the Board of Trustees as soon as I learned of that vote. I wrote to express my deep concerns and urge them to reconsider their decision and to inform them that I have instructed my Administration to help them consider any and all potential options other than closure.

This week, I met with the Maine Veterans’ Homes and I urged them again to postpone any closure for two years so that we can work together to chart another path forward – a path that will ensure that our veterans continue to receive the care they have earned and deserve in the communities they love near the families they are close to.  

I appreciate the Maine Congressional Delegation’s support for our approach — they too were taken by surprise by this vote to close the homes — as well as Senate President Troy Jackson, who’s bill, in part, would authorize a financial boost to keep these particular Veterans’ Homes open. That bill had a public hearing before a Legislative committee this week with significant support and the bill continues to move through the legislative process.

Here’s the bottom-line: I want these homes to remain where they are and remain open. The veterans who live there, their families, their spouses, and the staff all deserve it. Our promise to veterans is that we will stand by them, just as they stood for us in their service to our state and our nation – these homes are a small step towards fulfilling that promise.

My Administration continues to work with the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes, with Senator Jackson and others, to explore all options to allow veterans to remain where they are before resorting to any closure. I do not want their lives and safety and health to be disrupted by this drastic move.  And, I have instructed my Department of Health and Human Services to identify and provide sufficient funding to tide them over so that we can work on a long-term plan. In exchange for which I’ve asked Maine Veterans’ Homes to reconvene and reconsider their decision to close these two homes.

We can never fully express our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their loved ones, but we can make sure that they receive continued, uninterrupted care in the communities they call home.

This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Maine’s economy, like that of the rest of the nation, is making a comeback.

Our Gross Domestic Product, which is a key measure of growth, has not only fully bounced back from the pandemic, it has surpassed pre-pandemic projections.

Our unemployment rate, 4.7 percent – still too high – has fallen by nearly half what it was during the pandemic when it was at a high of 9.1 percent. Jobless rates in Bangor have fallen to 3.8 percent, to 4 percent in Lewiston and Auburn, and to 3.4 percent in the Portland area.

Only about 6,000 people are actually receiving unemployment benefits, which is comparable to the number before the pandemic.

Our auto mobile, building supply, lodging, retail and restaurant sales all were up this past summer.

Our international exports are up and on track to be the best since 2012. Our tourism industry had a banner summer season. And the ski slopes are seeing a lot of snow this year which is great for our winter economy.

Our population is growing at the second highest rate in New England. Finally people are coming to Maine. We have the 7th highest rate of net migration in the nation.

Our Rainy Day Fund has more than doubled under my Administration and it’s now nearly $500 million – the highest it has ever been.

And, after passing strong, balanced budgets we are reporting a record budget surplus.

We have done all this without raising taxes.

All of this is progress.

At the same time, we’re not immune from the impact of pandemic-driven inflation, from higher energy prices caused by a reliance on fossil fuels, to supply chain issues that contribute to higher prices for everything from potato chips to plastic ware, to ramen noodles and cat food, and even a scarcity of chocolate milk in Houlton and Moxie in Lisbon.

Through good, bipartisan work, we have already returned $371 million of our surplus income to Maine people and Maine businesses. We sent checks of $285 each to more than 500,000 working men and women in Maine. We provided millions more in tax relief for people and businesses in Maine.

But we have to do more for Maine people who are struggling with exorbitant electric bills and with inflation at the pump and at the grocery store and the uncertainty of the global economy.

Now many Republicans called for a return of half the new surplus to Maine people through direct checks. I think they’re right. And that’s why I proposed sending half of our surplus back to the people of Maine.

These direct checks to the people, which would amount to about $500 per person, would be distributed to an estimated 800,000 taxpayers in Maine to help them offset added costs, beginning as soon as July.

We’re not going to wait for next year’s tax returns. People need that money now.

As the Legislature considers my proposal, we’re also delivering relief in other important ways.

For example, the Public Utilities Commission just approved a proposal from the Public Advocate and my energy office that will give a direct $90 credit on electric bills for low-income Maine people.

Electricity prices are going up this winter because of a significant spike in global fossil fuel prices, especially natural gas. Maine, unfortunately, is far too reliant on natural gas to generate electricity.

Importantly, these credits will be paid for with federal funding — not by Maine taxpayers and ratepayers.

This is a welcome step forward, but we will continue to evaluate other ways to provide relief to more people as we all grapple with increased electricity costs and inflation at the pump and at the grocery store.  

Well, I may not be able to control the impact of COVID-19 on global markets, but I can make sure that we help Maine people grapple with inflation as we build a stronger and more resilient economy.

That’s what I’m fighting for — progress. Progress for Maine people and a better future for all.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.