Janet Mills in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
History has shown that we cannot cut our way to prosperity
I have heard the calls of those who say we should enact sweeping budget cuts. I agree that State government cannot be all things to all people all the time. And that it cannot solve all our problems or address the needs of all people. But history
has shown that we cannot cut our way to prosperity. During emergencies such as this, people depend on us to protect children, to secure health care, to safeguard educational and career opportunities and to protect the most vulnerable of our citizens.
I have heard the calls of those who say we must spend a lot more, even if it means we must dip into our savings. This, too, we should not do. When you have a fever--or when your state has had a fever--you don't say, "Now, get up and run laps and
do a hundred pushups." Recovery, getting back in shape, is not immediate, its course not always predictable. This budget, though, provides basic continuity, consistency and stability, something our state needs at this time. It is focused on recovery.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 23, 2021
On Education:
$6 million in low/no interest loans for childcare facilities
My Back to Work proposal will seek $6 million for low-or no-interest loans to renovate, expand, or construct childcare facilities and increase the availability and quality of childcare slots, with half of that money going to underserved communities in ru
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 23, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
Double Maine's clean energy jobs over next ten years
There are good paying jobs that are going unfilled. We have to connect the workforce with those jobs and make an investment in new jobs at the same time. That is why my Administration in the coming weeks will lay out a "Back to Work" bond proposal
that asks for $25 million to partner with Maine's career and technical education centers and our community colleges to provide equipment and to train skilled workers to fill jobs in high-growth industries, including manufacturing and clean energy.
I have set a goal of doubling Maine's clean energy jobs in the next ten years, and in the coming weeks my Administration will stand up a key recommendation of the State's 10 year economic plan: the Maine Career Exploration Program. Backed by
funding secured through the New England Clean Energy Connect project, we are launching a program in Franklin and Somerset Counties to provide scholarships and paid internships for local students with local employers.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 23, 2021
On Jobs:
Goal: 100% of students have option of paid internships
These internships will provide real world job experience in the trades, healthcare and other fields, connecting Maine kids to our economy and putting them on a path to good-paying jobs here in Maine. Ultimately, our goal is to expand this program
statewide to ensure that 100 percent of Maine students have the option for a six month paid internship between their junior year of high school and one year after high school graduation.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 23, 2021
On Technology:
High speed internet as fundamental as electricity
High speed internet is as fundamental as electricity, heat, and water. It is the primary way of connecting with others in the 21st century. It is the modern equivalent of rural electrification in the 1930's and the interstate highway system in the
1950's. We need to have high speed internet throughout our state. I will be asking for an additional $30 million for infrastructure and for internet that is affordable for Maine families, students, seniors, businesses and workers across the state.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 23, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022