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

Look, one of the biggest obstacles for many people today -- whether you're a new college graduate, or a young parent, or an older person on fixed income, perhaps -- one of the biggest obstacles is the high cost of living right now. From health care to housing and utilities, to the cost of a car or truck repair, to the price of groceries and life saving medicines, costs are just too high and Maine people, like millions across the country, are feeling it. Earlier this week, in my State of the State Address, I proposed that we do something about it.

Over the past seven years, on several occasions, with bipartisan support from the Legislature, we've been able to issue relief checks to Maine families on several occasions. We did this in recognition of tough times and in recognition that each family, each person, may have different needs. So once again, I'm proposing that we help Maine people breathe a little easier by sending them an Affordability Relief Check for $300 each, drawn from our record-high Rainy Day Fund, in order to offset, in some small way, the cost of goods and groceries that are increasing because of tariffs and other circumstances beyond our state's control.

And while we're at it, let's continue to tackle one of the most significant issues facing Maine people -- that's the high cost of housing. First, I'm proposing two new pilot programs backed by $17.5 million to build 530 new homes and apartments for middle class families. Second, I propose we increase our investments in our already very successful housing programs, like the Rural Rental Program by $52.5 million, which will in turn trigger at least $15 million in federal matching funds. Well, all told, those measures alone will result in 825 new homes all across Maine.

In my State of the State Address, I also proposed making Community College free in Maine permanently to ensure that the cost of two years of community college -- which, as we know, is the pathway to a good-paying career here in Maine -- so that cost will not increase. To date, more than 23,000 students have taken advantage of free Community College, with many more scheduled to achieve a degree or certificate over the next two years.

Take Tori Wile, who grew up in Gray building things with her grandfather in his woodworking shop. She's a person who wanted to be a builder but couldn't afford to go to college. But thanks to our free Community College program, Tori graduated with a degree in Building Construction Technology, and she even recently helped to build a new electrical lab. The free Community College program has made a life changing difference for thousands of people like Tori. It's time to make it permanent.

Well, these three proposals -- distributing relief checks, building homes, and making free community college permanent -- will provide both immediate and long-term cost relief.

There are other ways that we're fighting to hold down costs, like fully funding the state's share of education and funding revenue sharing to the towns so that more money goes back to them to pay police and firefighters, road crews, and local services -- so less of that cost is borne by the property taxpayers. While costs are rising across the country, we're going to continue to do what we can, where we can, to provide some relief to you, the people of Maine, to make it more affordable to live, work, and raise a family in our great state.

This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

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

You know, as governor of this great state, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Embodied in that sacred document is the idea that our country is not governed by any single individual, but by that great equalizer, the rule of law.

A few decades ago, you'll remember that principle was in great danger. Our nation watched as the moral compass of the law was diverted from its North Star by the pranks and practices, the crimes and cover ups, of those who valued political loyalty over their duty to the court and their duty to the Constitution. The President of the United States was forced to resign. Prominent lawyers lost their license to practice law, their very livelihood; and the Attorney General of the United States actually went to prison, all because of the national scandal we refer to very simply today as "Watergate."

Lawyers and law firms are again under tremendous pressure to bow to the demands and financial threats from political powers in D.C. The administration issued executive orders that targeted various law firms by name. Those executive orders suspended security clearances for employees of the firms, barred access to government buildings, and contact with government officials, and terminated government contracts with those firms -- all because they once represented clients with whom the president disagreed.

The Administration attacks the court itself when it fails to get its way, using name calling and accusing individual judges of "hating America" and of suffering from a "sick ideology." This is a danger to the separation of powers and to the judiciary itself. Governing by intimidation by any party or person is not what the founders meant when they wrote the Constitution. It is, in fact, the very thing they most feared when they divided power among three co-equal branches of government.

Reagan appointee Judge Harvie Wilkinson III described the assault on the legal system and the rule of law with some eloquent but disturbing words: "Now the branches come too close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both," he wrote. "... The Executive may succeed for a time in weakening the courts, but over time, history will script the tragic gap between what was and all that might have been, and law in time will sign its epitaph."

Now, in addition to law firms and lawyers, there have been many other threats targeted against businesses, colleges, scientists and researchers; unions, and veterans; threats to social security, health care, medical research, and education. Threats towards cities, states and countries, large and small.

You know, the law is neither red nor blue. It is not owned by any political party, and it is not the tool of any one individual in power. The law, simply, is the greatest achievement of our society. It's the thing that protects all of us, especially the weak and the vulnerable, those who cannot stand up for themselves. And if we stop believing in that great equalizer, the Constitution, if we give up, if we lose faith, then we lose the very thing that protects every one of us at a time when we need it most.

We all must be vigilant to preserve the Constitution of the United States and of this state. We have got to stand up for the rule of law. And whenever and however you do stand up, believe me, you will count for more than you think. Our country will stand taller, our country will be stronger, and the rule of law will thrive.

This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, American history is an essential component of a complete and well-rounded education; and

WHEREAS, the study of history provides us a deeper understanding of our culture and traditions and connects us with events, people, places, and ideas of our country's past; and

WHEREAS, understanding our shared history allows us to make better decisions about our future, and to prevent repeating mistakes of the past; and

WHEREAS, Black History Month, previously known as Negro History Week, was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and first celebrated on February 1, 1926; and

WHEREAS, since 1976, it has become a nationally recognized month-long celebration held to acknowledge and pay tribute to the contributions made by African Americans to the history of our country that for years were omitted by society and history books; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine has over $395 million in unclaimed property, including uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and other financial assets that are considered lost or abandoned when an owner cannot be located after a specific period of time; and

WHEREAS, for over four decades, the State of Maine has received millions of dollars turned over annually by entities who cannot locate the owners and has made a commitment to reuniting these financial assets to their rightful owners; and

WHEREAS, Maine has recently experienced the tragic deaths of two students in transportation-related incidents; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Maine students rely on school transportation each day to attend school and school-related activities; and

WHEREAS, these recent tragedies warrant a comprehensive review to ensure that current laws, regulations, and operating practices continue to protect students effectively; and