WHEREAS, born in Skowhegan on December 14, 1897, Margaret Chase Smith proudly served Maine and the nation as a distinguished leader until her death on May 29, 1995; and

WHEREAS, first elected to the House of Representatives in 1940, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman in the history of our country to be elected to the United States Senate in her own right in 1948, an election that also marked the first time a woman was elected to both houses of Congress; and

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

Let's take a step back through our nation's history for a moment.

In the 1930s, it was the federal government that created the Social Security system, a lifeline for millions of people that was created after the Great Depression. It was in the 1950s that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, created the Interstate Highway System, also a lifeline, a network of safe roads connecting Americans from coast to coast. It was the federal government that created the Civil Rights Act and sent a man to the moon.

Look, when the federal government finally recognizes the depth of a problem that requires a national solution, it can make historic changes that improve the lives of every American. Yet today, while millions of Americans are unable to afford basic life-saving health care, a universal need that requires federal action, the federal government does nothing. When it comes to one of the most fundamental needs of American families, the federal government is just standing down. In fact, in many respects, they're making health care less affordable, more costly.

Well, here in Maine, we've been working hard to expand health coverage for small businesses, for self-employed people, for families across Maine, and we've tried to make that coverage more affordable. On my first day in office, for instance, I expanded MaineCare in accordance with the will of the people. At one point, more than 100,000 people had health care through MaineCare expansion, which includes preventive care like cancer screenings.

We also expanded health care for children and mental health services across the state. And we enacted the Made for Maine Health Coverage Act, which established the state-based insurance marketplace, CoverME.gov, and which made many preventative care visits either free or at least less costly.

We were doing pretty well, but if the federal government allows enhanced health care tax credits to expire at the end of this month, health coverage for more than 60,000 people in Maine will be unaffordable. I wrote to Maine's Congressional Delegation back in September urging them to extend those tax credits. Now it's Open Enrollment time in Maine -- when people eligible for health insurance can sign up for health insurance for next year under the ACA -- and many people are already seeing their health insurance rates skyrocket.

One man from Cumberland said if his premiums increase, as he expects, health insurance will be the single largest expense for his family -- more than his mortgage. A woman in Dover-Foxcroft said she owns her own mental health practice, and that a loss of insurance reimbursement would make it impossible to keep her doors open. Well, that would not only leave her without a livelihood, but would also leave hundreds of her patients without access to care.

Well, there are so many stories all around Maine like this, and every one of them breaks my heart because it doesn't have to be this way. The bottom line is, without these health insurance tax credits, more people will be forced to go without health insurance because they can't afford it, and they'll delay care until they wind up in the emergency room or with medical debt that lasts a lifetime. Hospitals across Maine will have to bear more of the cost of uncompensated care or uninsured care because of many people going without insurance. Some of those health care providers may have to cut back services or even close, leaving many folks without access to care, and leaving communities without some of their largest employers.

It was good bipartisan federal action in the 1960s that created Medicare. It was bipartisan federal action that brought us the Interstate Highway System, the unemployment system, Social Security. The health care crisis in this country today begs for strong action on the part of the federal government. The time has come to address the health care crisis.

Doctor Jeffrey Barkin, former president of Maine Medical Association, wrote recently in a column: "Getting sick is not partisan. Losing health insurance is not partisan. Bankruptcy is not partisan. Illness does not check who you voted for," he said. "Or how you feel about Congress or whether your state is red or blue. When a child spikes a fever or a parent hears the word cancer, politics fall away. Only people remain."

The President and Congress must extend the enhanced tax credits before they expire to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for people across our country and people here in Maine -- people who have started their own businesses, gone out on their own with the support of those health care tax credits -- and they can't do without them.

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

To the Members of the Democratic, Green Independent, Libertarian and Republican Committees of Lewiston Residing in Representative District 94.

GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, by the October 31, 2025, resignation of Kristen Cloutier of Lewiston, in the County of Androscoggin, a member of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Legislature in District 94, a vacancy has thus been created; and

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

Well, with the Thanksgiving holiday this week, and with Christmas and Hanukkah coming right up, we're in the full swing of the holiday season already. I know that Maine people are looking forward to enjoying time with friends and family this time of year. I am as well. But hey, if you haven't finished your holiday shopping yet -- and you'd be pretty much ahead of the game if you have -- or if you're a bit of a last minute shopper like I am, I want to take the opportunity to encourage you to shop local this holiday season here in Maine.

Maine is home to more than 150,000 small businesses. That's 99 percent of all businesses in our state. Many of them are retail businesses that sell local Maine-made products, and these businesses and their producers are the cornerstones of our downtowns, the employers of our friends and family members, and a big driver of our economy. They need your business. I guarantee you, no matter who you're shopping for, you can find the perfect gift made right here in Maine and sold right here in Maine.

And if you need a little inspiration or information, our state's Maine Made program is a great place to start. All you have to do is visit MaineMade.com. That's MaineMade.com.

From work boots and outdoor accessories at Trader Joe's Outfitters in Presque Isle -- not the grocery store chain -- to handmade flower arrangements at Fiddleheads in Cape Elizabeth, to sundries at the 5&10 General Store in Winter Harbor, to a knitting and wine shop rolled into one at Fiber & Vine in Norway, to sneakers at New Balance in Skowhegan, all kinds of great things are produced right here in Maine.

And did I mention Raye's Mustards in Eastport? Or Marin skincare products developed right at our university research labs? Our online MaineMade.com guide is a good resource for you to find local products that are made and sold all across our state. Check it out!

It may be tempting to go for convenience over craftsmanship this holiday season, but our gift guide will help you find some pretty meaningful and interesting gifts. Something for everybody.

Personally, I'm going to be visiting some of my favorite independent bookstores to find the perfect books for friends. Sherman's up and down the coast, the Briar Patch in Bangor, Devaney Doak & Garrett in Farmington -- all great places to find special books for special people. I also plan to go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to see their holiday light show, Gardens Aglow, and do some shopping in Boothbay Harbor, and maybe Ogunquit, and maybe Kennebunkport.

And I'll probably stop by Reny's in my hometown of Farmington to find, well, almost anything.

When you buy local, you'll make somebody you care for feel special with a unique gift. You'll also support Maine's small businesses and the thousands of people they employ, and you'll strengthen our economy. You'll be helping people who make these things, and helping their communities remain vibrant as well.

I hope you'll join me in supporting Maine's small businesses this year, especially on Small Business Saturday.

And as always, be sure to check on your neighbors and be kind to one another this season and every season.

This is Governor Janet Mills wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season, and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was founded on December 1, 1941 to mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources and today it is the official civilian auxiliary and Total Force Partner of the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, CAP’s three primary missions of Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs and Emergency Services are accomplished by volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives and shaping futures; and

WHEREAS, Maine-grown Christmas trees stand as a timeless, naturally grown decoration, and the Maine Christmas Tree Association, which cultivates seasonal cheer for Christmas and Solstice by producing authentic Christmas trees and wreath products, stands as the foremost resource for all things related to Christmas trees in the beautiful State of Maine; and

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

You know, next week marks the Thanksgiving holiday, and like many Maine people, I'm very much looking forward to sharing time with my family, my brothers and sister, my grandchildren, and to pausing at the end of a very busy year to just reflect on things for which I am grateful.

I'm grateful that our state is blessed with people who love and care for one another. People who extend a helping hand when neighbors need it most, the people who have been donating to their local food banks, checking in on their neighbors, and supporting their communities during the recent and unnecessary federal shutdown.

As one Lewiston business owner said, "It's really great that the community as a whole is pitching in to help ease the burden on families."

When challenges arise, Maine people do stand up -- in every season. That's no surprise, but it's something I am tremendously proud of. I've seen that incredible spirit of giving up close during my time as governor -- during the pandemic, and following the tragedy in Lewiston, and in the wake of some of the worst storms we've ever seen. We're known for our independence here in Maine, but we also know that we can rely on each other and that we should rely on each other in times of need.

This holiday season will be a time of joy for many people, but it's important for us to remember that some people may be struggling this time of year. Some of our active duty servicemen and women, for instance, will be unable to come home for the holidays. Some folks are mourning the loss of a loved one who will be missing from the table this year. Some people may be having a hard time making ends meet, and some may not have close friends or family to celebrate with, or some may be feeling alone, even in the company of others.

So, as we begin this holiday season, let's hold our family and friends, loved ones and neighbors close. And let's be grateful for the kindness, the compassion and strength of the people of this state.

And if you need food this holiday season, my administration has put up a new food access map where you can find local food pantries and other free food services. You can find that food map at maine.gov/dacf. That's maine.gov/dacf.

So, this Thanksgiving, let's take time to appreciate life's blessings. And let's welcome others to our tables, large and small, and to our homes, wherever they may be, and into our hearts with generosity and grace. I'll be welcoming grandchildren, and family, and friends to my house, and I'll be looking forward to hugging them with all my heart.

I wish all Maine people and their loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, started in 1988 and recognized annually on December 1st, World AIDS Day is a global event to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and to honor and support those living with and affected by HIV; and

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

Last year, Maine saw our largest decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018. This year, we're continuing to make progress.

From January through September of this year, fatal overdoses declined by more than 23 percent. Well, that's a difference of 87 people, and it looks like the trend will continue.

That's all welcome news. But of course we can't be complacent. Every overdose death is a tragic and preventable loss. So my administration is doing what we can in a responsible manner to stop deadly drugs from reaching Maine in the first place, to prevent addiction, to treat it when we can't prevent it, and to set people on a lifelong path to recovery.

Above all else, we're just working to save lives.

Since I've taken office, the state has distributed more than 760,000 doses of the life-saving medication naloxone. The Office of Attorney General has also distributed 23,000 doses of naloxone, and nearly 12,000 potentially fatal overdoses in Maine have been reversed with that medication.

Simply reversing an overdose, however, is not enough to get somebody back on their feet. It's important to create more places where people can get help to stop using drugs, to be productive, and to reach their full potential. So I've directed my administration to support and to conduct prevention programs in communities across Maine.

For example, in 2024, we sent coaches to five schools in Hancock and Washington counties to lead something we call "Recovery Coaching for Youth." These coaches train young people to recognize the dangers of substance use, to realize how many great things you can do that don't involve drugs or alcohol, and how to manage their own relationships with family members or friends who have substance use disorders. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In 2022, we established the Cumberland County Crisis Receiving Center -- walk-in services for anyone suffering a mental health or substance use crisis. Since that center opened, more than 2,868 people have gotten services there. Soon, we'll be establishing two more centers in Androscoggin and Penobscot counties as well.

We've added residential treatment beds since I've taken office, and we've invested heavily in recovery residences, and community centers, and recovery coaches.

Through our OPTIONS program, we've also placed 32 behavioral health liaisons and 7 recovery coaches in counties across Maine. These people connect people with substance use disorder to different treatment options so they can find the best program for them.

My administration is committed to supporting people as they start, stumble, or resume their recovery -- and responding to the dangerous use of methamphetamines and xylazine for which there is no overdose medication.

I want to do everything we can to keep people from starting down the path of addiction in the first place, but fundamentally, what we need is leadership. Leadership in every community across the state. Leadership from every family. From every young person who's offered a pill to cure pain, everyone who is offered a drug to fix anxiety, or drug to get high, or a drug they think will make them more popular or more accepted.

The leadership and the character to say, you know, "I'm better than that" and "my life is more valuable than that." And the leadership from all of us to tell that person that they are loved, that they are valued, and that their lives are indeed far better than that, and we do value them.

That's how we build a better future with strong communities and a state that offers opportunity -- a state that offers courage, perseverance and compassion.

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

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

It was the summer of 1775, and British war vessels, including the four-gun Margaretta, were sailing into Machias Bay. Some three dozen Maine militiamen commandeered a merchant vessel and overtook the Margaretta with the only weapons they had — axes and pitchforks from their farms. The story goes that when they heard what was happening, a couple of young women brought bags of spoons, cups, and plates that the militia then melted down for ammunition. After a few days, what some call the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War was won by a few brave souls from Maine.

Well, I wonder what those men and women thought when just months later, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy. This year, as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Navy, as well as the Army and the Marine Corps, I think about the brave people who have defended our nation's freedom for two and a half centuries.

Our state can proudly say that we're home to one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. When you consider Maine's proud history of military service, that should come as no surprise. From the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, Maine people have always defended our nation and its ideals, and our state has always shouldered its responsibility to serve.

That proud history of military service is also at the heart of my own family. My father served in the Pacific during World War II and survived the biggest battle in naval history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Two of my uncles also served in the Pacific in World War II, and my brother served several tours of duty in Vietnam. And so, as the daughter, niece, and sister of veterans, I pray for the safe return of all Maine people who are deployed overseas right now. And as the Commander-in-Chief of Maine's Armed Forces, I want to do everything I can to protect those service members and their families.

Through the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, we have reestablished the Aides-de-Camp Veterans Advisory Program. We've provided free dental care for veterans in need. We've created the Governor's Challenge to coordinate behavioral health services and prevent suicides by veterans. And we've expanded our homeless veteran coordination team.

We also laid to rest 998 veterans and spouses across Maine's Veterans Memorial Cemetery System last year alone, and we helped veterans file more than 2,500 claims for health care and disability benefits, and we approved more than $13 million dollars in education benefits so veterans could go on to college and university here in Maine.

We've connected hundreds of service members and veterans and their families with resources and benefits, and we've connected veterans to jobs through our annual Hire-A-Vet campaign. With the help of the legislature, we've also kept the Maine Veterans homes open in Caribou and Machias for veterans and their spouses.

At the birth of our nation, brave souls armed with some melted silverware and pitchforks took on the British in Machias Bay to protect the rights and freedoms we now hold most dear. And for more than two-and-a-half centuries, Maine people have defended our state and our nation just as they serve today in deployments around the world.

This Veterans Day, we honor every person who has worn the uniform in defense of our state and nation, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

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