President Daughtry and Speaker Fecteau Issue Statements as Legislature Sends Part Two Budget to Governor’s Desk
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Maine Legislature enacted a balanced Part Two biennial budget that addresses the biggest issues Maine people are facing while protecting critical investments in health care, food security, education, housing and child care.
Legislative leaders issued the following statements on the Part Two biennial budget:
“This budget is about showing up for Maine people — for parents trying to find child care, students dreaming of college, older Mainers worried about affording healthcare. Maine families are just trying to make ends meet and the investments in this budget support them,” said Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick). “In this budget, we are doubling the child tax credit, funding rising operational costs of Maine’s universities, and investing in the child care workforce. At a time when so much feels uncertain, this budget offers something solid: a commitment to the well-being of our communities and a hopeful vision for a stronger, more resilient Maine.”
“Maine people count on their elected officials to govern. They count on us to make sure the services they depend on – health care, education, housing, child welfare – will make our state stronger. And that is what this budget does,” said House Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford). “We have protected investments in these critical areas while delivering a balanced spending plan that leaves money in the bank and puts Maine in a strong position for what may lie ahead. This is a budget for working Maine families and I’m proud of that.”
“In the many years I have worked on state budgets, one truth has always guided me: these are not just numbers on a page—they represent people’s lives and well-being here in Maine. These investments go toward allowing Mainers to lead full lives, and to thrive.” said Senator Peggy Rotundo (D-Lewiston), Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “We did not make these budget decisions lightly. We listened to legislators, policy committees, commissioners, and most importantly, the public. We reviewed each item over and over, and over again to make these weighty decisions. As we considered this budget, it was critical to stay focused on our obligations to the people we serve.”
“The choices we have made in this budget balance the urgent needs of Maine people with the reality of an uncertain fiscal environment and uncertainty with respect to what we may be facing from future federal action,” said Rep. Drew Gattine (D-Westbrook), House Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “There were tough decisions to be made to ensure a balanced, responsive budget. We made all of those choices with the goal of ensuring that we are meeting the needs of Maine people with respect to critical issues like health care, access to food and housing and access to education, especially higher education.”
The Part Two biennial budget strengthens core areas like healthcare, education, housing, child welfare, and essential services, while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility.
The Part Two Biennial Budget:
Invests in reproductive health care and nursing homes.
Invests in MaineCare for FY 27, ensuring Maine people can access the health care they need.
Invests in free school meals for all Maine students.
Invests in essential services like child welfare, victims services, sexual assault services, and civil legal aid.
Invests in child care workforce and child care support for families, Head Start, the direct care workforce, and higher education institutions.
Invests in tax relief for first-time homebuyers, mobile home park preservation, and rental assistance, and creates a Housing Production Fund.
Invests in Maine families by doubling our state’s version of the child tax credit.
Invests in secure elections by funding ballot printing and distribution.
The budget is now on the Governor’s Desk forsignature.