Politics
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AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills didn’t get exactly what she wanted from Democratic lawmakers, but she still managed to pass $300 relief checks in her final state budget.
The governor signed a major spending adjustment into law last week following more than two months of debate in the State House. It was framed by her decreasing standing against political newcomer Graham Platner in a June primary for Democratic nomination to face five-term Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
After Mills floated the checks in her State of the State address in January, Republicans immediately panned the idea as a campaign gimmick. But there were progressive skeptics as well, including among a growing number of Platner supporters in the State House.
In the end, Mills closed the deal by embracing a millionaire tax that she had stood against as recently as last year. The checks won’t come until deep into the summer as things stand.
Who is getting the checks?
At first, Mills proposed $300 for approximately 725,000 Mainers. But that number was cut down to roughly 514,000 people during the budget process by tightening income limits.
They will now go to people who file a Maine tax return in 2025 and make less than $50,000 as a single filer or under $100,000 as a couple filing jointly. The payments are not garnished for debts owed to state agencies, and the state is seeking an IRS ruling to exempt them from taxes.
How are they paid for?
Mills prompted Republican criticism by taking the money from Maine’s rainy day fund, which sat at a legal maximum of $1 billion when the governor proposed her budget.
The final version took more than $290 million out of the fund, including about $155 million for the checks alone. Other big items included more than $50 million for housing and $22 million for the MaineCare stabilization fund.
When will they go out?
The budget is signed into law, but it doesn’t hit the books until three months after the Legislature’s adjournment, which is scheduled for April 29. That puts the budget on track to become law in late July.
The checks should go out shortly after that, a spokesperson for Mills’ budget department said. So check the mail in early August.
