Governor Mills: Despite Challenges, Maine is Growing Stronger Every Day

Floor Speech

"Small businesses are expanding their operations; people are moving here to work and raise their families; and graduates are staying in Maine to pursue rewarding, life-long careers -- all encouraging signs that are reflected in recent data about our economy. Since the end of 2019, our Gross Domestic Product has increased by 9.2 percent -- the best rate of growth in New England and one of the highest in the nation. Since 2020, our population has grown by 2.4 percent -- more than twice the national rate and eight times the rate of population growth in New England.

With the support of those investments, the private sector has created a record number of jobs -- up by nearly 9,000 in the past year alone. Maine has never had as many private sector jobs as it has today. Through the Jobs Plan, we invested more than $200 million in job training, credentialing, career exploration, and other programs to give people skills and support to join the workforce.

I recognize there are many needs across the state, and I know, in the past, we have been able to say yes to a lot of things. However, this year is, and must be, different. If we do not budget responsibly now, the Legislature will be forced to make painful cuts in the future -- just like other states are having to do now."

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