WHEREAS, the State of Maine is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting the state; and

WHEREAS, Community Risk Reduction is a proactive and comprehensive approach to identify, assess and mitigate risks such as fires, falls, car accidents and more; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s 207 area code has become a well-recognized aspect of our state's collective identity and is a source of pride; and

WHEREAS, in celebration of Maine’s unique status as one of only 11 states with a single area code, Portland Downtown launched 2-0-7 Day in 2022 to promote Portland’s small business community and provide a new exciting event for residents during a traditionally slower time in Maine’s economy; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the vital role women play in agriculture, food production, and sustaining rural economies worldwide; and

WHEREAS, this designation provides an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the essential contributions of women in agriculture, raise awareness about the challenges they face – including access to land, credit, training, and technology – and encourage policies and investments that empower women farmers; and

WHEREAS, Tuesday, January 27, 2026 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp; and

WHEREAS, this is a day of remembrance for the six million Jews who were murdered by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945; and

WHEREAS, on this anniversary, the State of Maine recommits itself to combatting the global rise in anti-Semitism; and

WHEREAS, for over 250 years, the Portland Fire Department has protected the City and its residents by fighting fires, responding to accidents, assisting with medical emergencies, and much more; and

WHEREAS, Portland firefighters display immense courage and bravery daily as they run toward danger to protect residents and help them in their times of need; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine continues to experience a prolonged period of below-average cold temperatures, which has significantly increased heating demand for residences and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the increased heating demand has resulted in delivery backlogs by heating fuel delivery crews statewide; and

WHEREAS, rail deliveries of propane into Maine have been delayed due to shorter work weeks over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays; and

WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol attempted to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results; and

WHEREAS, 140 police officers were criminally assaulted by rioters, including one officer who suffered two strokes after being attacked and tragically passed away the following night, and four officers who have since died by suicide; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that all Maine students are afforded the opportunity to receive a quality education in our public schools; and

WHEREAS, a strong and effective public school system is essential for Maine's workforce and ensures that we continue to make social, technological, and scientific advancements; and

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

In this period of transition between the old and the new year, I'm reflecting on everything Maine people have experienced these past 12 months, and all the progress we've made together, and the challenges ahead.

In 2025, we passed bipartisan legislation to enhance emergency planning at all levels and to reduce storm-related damage, like flooding for Maine homeowners and businesses. We also established Maine's first cabinet-level Department of Energy Resources to guide long-term energy planning and to secure more affordable and reliable energy for Maine people and businesses. I signed two balanced budgets which made important investments in Maine families, children, and seniors, and our higher eds, and in housing, and much more. We financed the building or rehabilitation of more than a thousand homes and apartments through MaineHousing. We connected more locations to high speed internet, and we opened more childcare centers like Space to Thrive in Windham.

We also announced about $63 million in student loan relief delivered to Maine people -- people living in Maine and paying income taxes here in Maine.

We created a Life Sciences Center and funded a Life Sciences Incubator to encourage innovation and investment in new, good-paying jobs here in Maine. We began offering tax credits to businesses through our new Dirigo Business Incentive Program to businesses who are planning more than $1.3 billion in investments over the next five years. We also passed significant legislation to support jobs in the agriculture industry in Aroostook County.

When the president's rhetoric and his sweeping tariffs threatened to undermine our economy and our cultural ties with Canada, we led a cross-border summit in Boston with premiers of the Eastern Canadian provinces and my fellow Northeastern governors. I then went to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to promote Maine as a top destination for Canadian tourists. And that led to the first international friendly match between the Hearts of Pine in Portland and the Halifax Wanderers. And we won that game.

We connected more than 100 veterans and their families to jobs through our annual Hire-A-Vet campaign. We increased grants to veterans for dental care through the Maine Veterans Dental Network. We also continued to make important progress on the opioid epidemic. As of October, fatal overdoses had decreased by more than 21 percent compared to the same timeframe last year, a welcome improvement.

This year, the Legislature also unanimously confirmed three new commissioners in my administration, and they confirmed the Honorable Julia Lipez to serve on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

As we say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the New Year, I'll be reflecting on the year that is ending with gratitude for the privilege of serving as your governor. And I'll be thinking about the people from Bangor to Biddeford to Van Buren to Brunswick who shared their stories and their hopes with me this year.

There are still problems to solve, but I look forward to working on all these issues with you, the people of Maine, just as we've done the past seven years, and we will tackle whatever comes our way with the creativity, resolve and spirit of cooperation and compassion that truly defines Maine people.

I wish you all a happy and safe New Year's celebration with your friends and family, and a great New Year to come. This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.