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- Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills unveiled Wednesday a $71 million supplemental funds.
- The proposed adjustment to the Pine Tree State’s two-year funds particularly addresses psychological well being and firearm safety points within the wake of final 12 months’s mass taking pictures in Lewiston — the deadliest in Maine historical past.
- “This proposal strikes the balance between making timely investments to address urgent needs … and saving money to ensure that our state continues to stand on strong fiscal footing in the future,” Mills mentioned in an announcement.
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills unveiled a $71 million supplemental funds on Wednesday that features a number of initiatives following the deadliest mass taking pictures in state historical past, together with extra funding to spice up psychological well being initiatives, assist required assessments beneath the state’s so-called yellow flag legislation and promote an current firearm storage program.
The proposed funds adjustment, which might enhance the two-year funds to $10.41 billion, follows by on the governor’s promise to put aside greater than $100 million for the subsequent funds cycle when state revenues are anticipated to degree off, probably straining state funds.
“This proposal strikes the balance between making timely investments to address urgent needs — like public safety, mental health, housing, education, and health care — and saving money to ensure that our state continues to stand on strong fiscal footing in the future,” the governor mentioned in an announcement.
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills speaks to reporters at Lewiston City Hall in Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Some of the proposals grew out of the Oct. 25 taking pictures that claimed 18 lives in Lewiston. The gunman, an Army reservist, was affected by deteriorating psychological heath within the months earlier than the tragedy, officers mentioned.
The governor’s proposal consists of $1 million for the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to function a clearinghouse for information on harm and violence from legislation enforcement, hospitals, colleges and different sources to tell public coverage selections.
It additionally consists of $2.8 million for cell disaster groups that reply to psychological well being emergencies, $950,000 to create a psychological well being disaster receiving middle in Lewiston, $5 million to cowl unreimbursed medical bills for victims of “mass violence events” and $422,400 to assist with a surge in psychological well being assessments beneath the yellow flag legislation, which permits weapons to be taken from somebody in a psychiatric disaster.
Other highlights embody $200,000 to advertise a program that encourages Mainers to soundly retailer firearms, cash for 16 state trooper positions and $6 million for a funding shortfall for victims’ providers.
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It additionally consists of $16 million for the emergency housing reduction; $10 million to construct reasonably priced housing; $6 million to restore storm-damaged state parks and public lands; and $4 million to replace the judiciary’s laptop programs, amongst different issues.
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