Maine Gov Mills Signs $320M Supplemental Budget Into Law

Governor Janet Mills has signed into law a new $320 million supplemental budget addition to Maine's $11.3 billion biennial state budget, bringing the total to $11.6 billion. The budget, passed primarily along party lines with no Republican votes and some Democratic opposition, includes tax increases on cigarettes, adult-use cannabis, and streaming services, which critics argue disproportionately affect low-income residents. It allocates funding for Medicaid, child welfare, public higher education, and assistance for low-income and homeless individuals, while controversially phasing out the state's free community college program after this year's graduating high school class. Despite disagreements and initial procedural setbacks in the House, the bill was ultimately approved and will take effect 90 days after the legislative session ends. Mills emphasized the importance of fiscal restraint amid economic uncertainty and acknowledged the budget as a product of compromises that reflect shared values and investments in Maine families and communities. Republican lawmakers criticized the budget for significant tax increases and spending growth, while Democrats defended it as necessary to meet the needs of Maine residents.