Budget committee chairs release statement on Gov. Mills’ supplemental budget proposal

Posted: February 04, 2020 | Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Senator Breen

AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mills unveiled her supplemental budget proposal at a press conference on Monday, Feb. 3. An overview of the supplemental proposal can be found here.

Senator Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, 

Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee:

“Last year, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee worked diligently to pass a responsible, bipartisan budget that lowered property taxes, increased funding for education, expanded access to health care, and saved historically high amounts in two rainy days funds. As a result, not only is our state in good financial health but we have a healthy surplus and have built the largest savings in the history of our state. This year, we have the opportunity to pick up where we left off, make targeted investments in Maine workers, businesses and people, and continue our tradition of growing the rainy day fund.”

“The governor’s supplemental budget proposal provides a good foundation for our committee to get started. I look forward to working with my colleagues and really dig into this proposal. Over the course of the next month, we will be holding public hearings on each section of the supplemental budget to hear from experts and Mainers from across the state. Together, I know we can come up with a commonsense proposal that makes smart investments where we need them most.”

Representative Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook

House Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee:

“I thank Governor Mills for this thoughtful proposal that provides an excellent starting point for our work this session. The Appropriations Committee will dig into the details, listen to public testimony, engage with other policy makers and focus on how we can improve the lives of Maine families, support seniors and people with disabilities, strengthen our schools and create more opportunities to bolster our economy and protect our environment. We accomplished a tremendous amount last session and we must continue that work, make further investments in Child Protective Services and prioritize initiatives to protect the safety and security of Maine people. I’m optimistic the committee will work hard to finalize a supplemental budget that will meet the needs of Mainers across the state.”