47.9%
#27 of 50
Janet Mills
Maine
D
|
2nd term
2019-01-02Took Office
7 yrs, 5 moIn Office
263Metrics Scored
791 / 1653Total Points
Section A: Governance
219/300
73%
Section B: State Outcomes
558/975
57%
Section C: Oath Fidelity
+14 (-378 to +378)
Section A — Governance 219/300
9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.
Fiscal Responsibility — 31/45 (69%) 15 metrics
On-time budget submission
All 4 biennial budgets submitted on schedule. FY2024-25 $10.3B budget proposed Jan 2023, signed Jul 2023. FY2026-27 biennial budget proposed Jan 10, 2025 with $450M deficit. Feb 2026 supplemental proposed $300M+ from rainy day fund.
ME Governor's Office; Bureau of the Budget; Governing.com Jan 2025
2
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
FY2026-27 budget faces $450M projected deficit and $118M short-term Medicaid funding gap. Revenue forecasts missed after post-COVID surge ended. Mills proposed tax increases on cigarettes, cannabis, streaming services, and pensions to close gap.
ME Revenue Forecasting Committee; MECEP budget analysis Jan 2025
1
Rainy day fund management
Built rainy day fund to record $1.03B (statutory max, 18% of General Fund revenue) by end of FY2025. FY2025 ended with $152.2M General Fund surplus. Feb 2026 proposed drawing $300M+ for affordability relief checks ($218.9M for 725K residents) and housing ($70M). Strong buildup, now drawing down.
ME Treasurer's Office; Maine Public Feb 2026; Governor's Office press release Aug 2025
2
State credit rating trajectory
OUTSTANDING. Fitch upgraded Maine from AA to AA+ in Aug 2025 (2nd highest rating), citing 'proven ability to maintain significantly improved dedicated operating reserves' and 'low long-term liability burden that has shrunk over time.' Prior Fitch outlook upgraded from Stable to Positive in Dec 2023. First rating upgrade in years.
Fitch Ratings Aug 2025; ME Governor's Office; Maine Public Aug 2025; Mainebiz.biz
3
Pension funding ratio trajectory
MainePERS overall funded ratio improved from 85% (Jun 2023) to 86.3% (Jun 2024). State Employee & Teacher plan at 148.5% funded (Jun 2024). PLD Consolidated Plan at 91.2% funded. Consistent required contributions throughout tenure. Long-term liability burden shrinking per Fitch.
MainePERS 2024 Actuarial Valuation Reports; ACFR 2024; Fitch Ratings Aug 2025
2
Debt per capita trajectory
Maine GO bond debt was $559.37M as of Jun 2023. Fitch cited 'low long-term liability burden that has shrunk over time.' Voters approved modest bonds for broadband ($15M), R&D, and trails in 2024. No major new debt issuances. Credit upgrade to AA+ reflects sound debt trajectory.
ME Treasurer Debt Snapshot; Fitch Ratings Aug 2025; Ballotpedia 2024 ballot measures
2
CAFR/ACFR published on time
Maine earned GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 18 consecutive years (through FY2024). FY2024 ACFR published on time. State Auditor issued unmodified (clean) opinion on FY2024 financial statements.
ME Office of State Controller; GFOA award records; ME State Auditor FY2024
2
Audit findings — material weaknesses
FY2024 Single Audit found 76 findings with corrective action plans; 51 repeated from prior audits. Material weakness in internal controls over procurement exposing $2.1B in FY2024 spending to oversight gaps. Unmodified opinion on financial statements overall, but procurement controls deficient.
ME State Auditor FY2024 Single Audit; DAFS Response Apr 2025; Maine Wire Mar 2025
2
Federal grant fund accounting
Maine received $4.6B total ARPA funding ($1B discretionary state, $500M local, $3.1B directed). Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan deployed ~$1B in pandemic recovery. FY2024 Single Audit found deficiencies in some federal program eligibility determinations but no major fraud. Must spend remaining ARPA by end of 2026.
ME State Auditor FY2024 Single Audit; ARPA dashboard; maine.gov/jobsplan
2
Anti-fraud controls — federal programs
No major fraud scandals in federal programs. FY2024 audit found procurement oversight gaps but no fraud findings. UI trust fund solvent (AHCM 1.80, well above 1.0 threshold). Employer tax at Schedule A (lowest level) since 2022 — reflects low claims and strong fund management.
ME State Auditor; DOL UI Solvency Report; ME DOL employer tax schedule 2024
3
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
$450M deficit projected for FY2026-27 biennium. $118M short-term Medicaid funding gap. Post-COVID revenue normalization creating structural imbalance. Mills proposed tax increases and spending cuts.
ME Revenue Forecasting Committee; MECEP analysis; Bangor Daily News Jan 2025
1
Capital budget execution rate
MaineDOT 3-year work plan covers 2,672 projects at $4.74B for 2024-2026. IIJA provides $1.3B over 5 years (29% increase in annual federal road/bridge funding). $225M allocated for bridge repairs. $200M in 2024 federal awards including $70M for Waterville/Sidney bridges and $60M for I-395 corridor.
MaineDOT 2024-2027 STIP; FHWA IIJA data; Maine Public Nov 2024; TRIP report Oct 2024
2
Vendor/contractor oversight
FY2024 audit found material weakness in procurement internal controls over $2.1B in spending. 51 of 76 audit findings were repeats from prior years. DAFS deputy director admitted to illegally withholding procurement documents from legislators, raising transparency concerns about vendor oversight.
ME State Auditor FY2024; Maine Wire Dec 2025; DAFS Response Apr 2025
2
Federal funding maximization
Maine received $4.6B total ARPA funding. Mills deployed ~$1B through Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan for broadband ($129M), workforce, housing, and recovery. IIJA delivering $1.3B for roads/bridges over 5 years. $39.6M Jobs Plan program for ME tech companies. Federal funding maximized relative to state size.
USASpending.gov; maine.gov/jobsplan; IIJA state allocations; Governor's Office
2
Program eligibility verification systems
FY2024 Single Audit flagged deficiencies in eligibility determination for some federal programs (school meals, welfare). No systemic fraud. UI system at Schedule A (lowest employer tax), reflecting low claims. MaineCare eligibility redeterminations post-COVID unwinding completed without major disruption.
ME State Auditor FY2024 Single Audit; ME DOL; ME DHHS
3
Legislative Relations — 25/39 (64%) 13 metrics
Signature legislation enacted
Major legislation: Medicaid expansion (2019, covering 90K+ Mainers); paid family/medical leave (LD 1964, Jul 2023, 12 weeks, 1% wage tax); free community college (22,300+ enrolled since 2022); universal free school meals ($27M initial); 100% clean energy by 2040 (LD 1868, Jun 2025); 3,000MW offshore wind target (LD 1895, 2023); gun safety post-Lewiston (72-hr wait, yellow flag expansion); Maine Connectivity Authority for broadband.
ME Legislature bill tracking; Governor's Office; Maine Public Jul 2023; Maine Monitor Jun 2025
2
Veto override rate
Mills has vetoed 41+ bills since 2019 with zero overrides — an unbeaten veto streak. Notable vetoes: tribal sovereignty bill LD 2004 (bipartisan, override failed 84-57 in House), bump stock ban (override failed 18-16 in Senate), right-to-repair (Jan 2026, override failed). Legislature consistently unable to muster 2/3 majority.
ME Legislature Journal; Maine Public Jan 2026; Bangor Daily News May 2024
2
Bipartisan bills signed
Signed bipartisan Maine Defense Industry Alliance (with Collins, King, Pingree) to fill 7,500+ defense jobs. FY2024-25 budget passed with bipartisan support. Bipartisan broadband expansion and ConnectMaine Authority. But vetoed bipartisan tribal sovereignty bill (LD 2004) and right-to-repair, drawing cross-party criticism.
ME Legislature vote records; Collins/King press release Mar 2024; Fox News Jul 2023
2
Special sessions called
No unnecessary special sessions called. Regular biennial sessions handled budget and legislative business. COVID emergency managed through executive orders within existing authority, not special sessions. Ended state of civil emergency Jun 2021 after 15-month declaration.
ME Legislature records; Governor's Office Jun 2021
3
Executive orders — legal challenges
COVID 14-day quarantine EO challenged by campground owners and DOJ (May 2020); federal Judge Lance Walker denied injunction, upheld quarantine as constitutional. COVID civil emergency extended 8 times (Mar 2020 - Jun 2021). Post-COVID, no major EO litigation ongoing. COVID EOs expired with emergency end.
U.S. District Court (Walker ruling May 2020); DOJ statement of interest; Press Herald May 2020
2
Line-item veto usage
Maine governor has line-item veto power. Mills used it selectively on budget bills. No line-item veto overrides in her tenure. FY2024-25 $10.3B budget signed Jul 2023 without major line-item disputes. Biennial budget format limits line-item veto frequency compared to annual-budget states.
ME Constitution Art. IV Pt. 3 §2; Governor's budget actions; Governing.com Jan 2025
2
Regulatory burden change
Regulatory burden increased: 100% clean energy mandate by 2040 (LD 1868), paid family leave 1% wage tax (effective 2026), cannabis sales tax raised from 10% to 14% (Jan 2026), min wage indexed to CPI ($14.15 in 2024 to $15.10 in 2026), ag workers added to min wage (Jun 2025). FY2026-27 budget proposes new taxes on cigarettes, streaming, pensions.
ME Secretary of State; ME DOL min wage; LD 1868; LD 1964; ME Legislature 2025
1
Budget negotiation success
FY2026-27 budget faces $450M deficit. Mills proposed tax increases (cigarettes, cannabis, streaming, pensions) opposed by Republicans and cuts to MaineCare opposed by Democrats. Feb 2026 supplemental proposed $300M+ rainy day fund drawdown for $218.9M in $300 relief checks to 725K residents. Earlier FY2024-25 $10.3B budget passed with bipartisan support.
Maine Morning Star Jan 2025; MECEP analysis; Maine Public Feb 2026; Governing.com
1
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Signed popular legislation: free community college (22,300+ enrolled since fall 2022, record enrollment 3 consecutive years); universal free school meals (one of first states, $27M initial/$64M annual); paid family leave (12 weeks); minimum wage increases indexed to CPI. Vetoed popular tribal sovereignty and right-to-repair bills.
ME Legislature records; Governor's Office; Maine Wire Feb 2026; Central Maine Jan 2026
2
Legislative relationship
Maintained workable relationship with closely divided legislature across 2 terms. 41+ vetoes with zero overrides shows legislative management skill. But vetoed bipartisan tribal sovereignty bill twice, drawing bipartisan criticism. Budget tensions escalated in 2025 over $450M deficit. Refused to sign DA clean elections expansion bill in 2024.
ME Legislature records; Maine Public; Fox News Jul 2023; Maine Morning Star Jun 2025
2
Implementation of voter-approved measures
First official act as governor (Jan 2019) was implementing voter-approved Medicaid expansion (Question 2, 2017) that predecessor LePage blocked for 14 months. CMS approved Apr 2019; 90,000+ Mainers gained coverage. NECEC corridor: voters rejected project 59-41% in Nov 2021 referendum; Mills respected vote but courts later overturned referendum as unconstitutional (Aug 2022). NECEC now operational (Jan 2026).
ME Secretary of State; CMS approval Apr 2019; Ballotpedia Question 1 2021; WBUR Jan 2026
2
Task force follow-through
Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan (~$1B) largely deployed: $129M ARPA + $15M bond for broadband via Maine Connectivity Authority (11,000+ locations funded). $39.6M for tech companies. Workforce development through Maine Defense Industry Alliance (7,500+ positions pipeline). ConnectMaine goal: universal broadband. Remaining ARPA must be spent by end of 2026.
ME Governor's Office; MJRP reports; maine.gov/jobsplan; Collins/King press release
2
Policy reversals under pressure
Reversed skepticism on NECEC corridor — opposed as 2018 candidate, backed project Feb 2019 after securing $14M/year ratepayer savings deal. Rejected red flag gun law initially after Lewiston shooting (Oct 2023), signed strengthened yellow flag law instead. Consistent on Medicaid expansion, clean energy, education. Budget constraints forced 2025 spending priority shifts.
ME Governor's Office; Down East Magazine; Maine Public Oct 2024; NPR Apr 2024
2
Appointments & Staffing — 26/36 (72%) 12 metrics
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
No criminal charges or ethics complaints against Mills appointees across two terms. Clean appointment record. As former 4-term AG (2009-2011, 2013-2019) and former DA, Mills brought legal/ethics expertise to vetting process. No appointee-related scandals.
ME Ethics Commission; court records; Mills biography
3
Agency head vacancy rate
Key agency positions filled throughout tenure. OCFS got new leadership Jan 2024 (Bobbi Johnson, 30-year CPS veteran) — child welfare vacancy rate dropped 40% (111 to 65 vacancies) between Jan-May 2024. DHHS Commissioner, AG transition, and other department heads maintained. Second term provides institutional stability.
ME Governor's Office appointment records; Maine Monitor May 2024
2
State employee turnover
State workforce of 9,000+ executive branch employees (MSEA units). Child welfare vacancy rate spiked to 111 before dropping to 65 (Jan-May 2024). 15% pay gap between state workers and private/public sector counterparts identified in studies (2009, 2020). Mills committed to closing gap through contract negotiations.
ME Bureau of Human Resources; MSEA-SEIU Local 1989; MECEP pay gap analysis
2
Diversity of appointments
Maine is ~94% white — most homogeneous state. Mills became Maine's first female governor (Jan 2019). Appointed women to judiciary: Dec 2019 nominated 4 women to District Court and 2 to Superior Court. Maine ranks #48 nationally for people of color on bench vs. population (ACS). Total of 11+ judicial appointees during tenure.
ME Governor's Office; Ballotpedia judicial appointments; Press Herald Dec 2019; Census
2
Judicial appointment quality
11+ judicial appointments across 2 terms. Dec 2019 nominees included 4 women to District Court and 2 to Superior Court — Governor's office stated 'most qualified candidates were women.' Maine #18 nationally for female judges vs. female population. No appointee controversies or ethics issues.
ME Supreme Judicial Court; ME Bar Association; Press Herald Dec 2019; Ballotpedia
2
State workforce pay competitiveness
15% pay gap between state workers and private sector (studies in 2009, 2020). Dec 2023 MSEA contract: 9% total raises for 2024 (6% Jan + 3% Jul), $800 one-time payment, $2,000 childcare reimbursement, increased mileage/longevity pay. AFSCME Council 93 also ratified new contract. Mills committed to additional negotiations to close pay gap.
ME Bureau of Human Resources; MSEA-SEIU Dec 2023; Maine Public Dec 2023; MECEP
1
Whistleblower protection
No reported whistleblower retaliation cases against state employees. Maine Whistleblowers Protection Act (26 MRSA §§831-840) in effect. DAFS deputy director admitted to withholding documents from legislators, but this was a transparency issue rather than whistleblower retaliation. No formal complaints filed.
ME Ethics Commission; 26 MRSA §§831-840; Maine Wire Jan 2025
2
Inspector General independence
State Auditor and Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) operating independently. State Auditor conducted FY2024 Single Audit with 76 findings — demonstrates willingness to report issues. No interference with oversight reported. But DAFS admitted withholding documents from lawmakers, raising some oversight concerns.
ME State Auditor; OPEGA; Maine Wire Jan 2025
2
State employee morale
MSEA-SEIU President Dean Staffieri called Dec 2023 contract 'a good start' after years of high inflation. 9% raises and childcare reimbursement improved morale. Child welfare staff vacancies (111 in Jan 2024) indicated morale issues in specific areas, reduced to 65 by May 2024. No statewide morale crisis but 15% pay gap remains a concern.
ME Bureau of Human Resources; MSEA-SEIU Dec 2023; Maine Monitor May 2024
2
Nepotism/cronyism
No nepotism or cronyism allegations against Mills across 7+ years as governor. Former AG background (4 nonconsecutive terms, 2009-2011, 2013-2019) and former DA provides institutional knowledge for merit-based appointments. No family members in state positions. Clean record.
ME Ethics Commission; Governor's appointment records
3
Senior staff criminal charges
No senior staff or cabinet members charged with crimes during 7+ year tenure. DAFS deputy director admitted to withholding documents from lawmakers (Jan 2025) but faced administrative rather than criminal consequences. Remarkably clean record for a two-term administration.
Court records; ME Ethics Commission; Maine Wire Jan 2025
3
Agency performance accountability
Mixed agency performance. DHHS: $118M Medicaid funding gap, but 90K+ Medicaid expansion enrollees served. OCFS: foster care population at 20-year high (2,579 in Jul 2024), child removal rate 75% above national average (4.14 vs 2.4 per 1,000). DOL: unemployment at 3.2% (Dec 2025), below national 4.4%. MaineDOT: $4.74B 3-year work plan executing.
ME DHHS; Maine Monitor; ME DOL Dec 2025; MaineDOT work plan
2
Emergency Management — 27/36 (75%) 12 metrics
Disaster declaration timeliness
Timely declarations for multiple severe weather events. Dec 2023 windstorm/flooding (Dec 17-21): Mills secured FEMA Public Assistance for 9 counties (Jan 30, 2024). Jan 2024 storms: FEMA PA for 8 counties (Mar 20, 2024). Apr 2024 storms: FEMA PA for Cumberland and York (May 24, 2024). Three major federal disaster declarations within 5 months.
FEMA DR-4754-ME; DR-4719-ME; ME Emergency Management Agency; Governor's Office
2
FEMA Public Assistance secured
Three FEMA Public Assistance disaster declarations secured in 2024 alone: DR-4754 (Dec 2023 storms, 9 counties), DR-4719 (Jan 2024 storms, 8 counties), and Apr 2024 storms (2 counties). Federal damage assessments conducted promptly — FEMA arrived in Maine Jan 2, 2024 to evaluate Dec storm damage. Mills urged impacted residents/businesses to apply for federal relief.
FEMA.gov DR-4754-ME; DR-4719-ME; Governor's Office Jan 2024
2
Emergency reserve adequacy
Rainy day fund reached record $1.03B (statutory maximum, 18% of General Fund revenues) by end FY2025. Adequate reserve for 1.4M-population state. Feb 2026 proposed drawing $300M+ for relief and housing — still leaves ~$700M. Fitch cited strong reserves as factor in AA+ upgrade.
ME Bureau of the Budget; Treasurer's Office; Fitch Ratings Aug 2025; Maine Public Feb 2026
2
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
No major preventable deaths from state infrastructure or emergency response failures. Lewiston mass shooting (Oct 25, 2023, 18 killed) was law enforcement/military intelligence failure — independent commission found Army Reserves and Maine police missed warning signs. Mills created Lewiston commission and signed gun safety legislation in response (Apr 2024).
ME Emergency Management Agency; Lewiston Commission Aug 2024; NPR Apr 2024
3
Post-disaster recovery
State created maine.gov/flood resource hub for Dec 2023/Jan 2024 storm recovery. FEMA PA approved for 9+ counties. Recovery coordinated through MEMA. Post-Lewiston shooting: $6M+ for mental health crisis receiving center in Lewiston; funded violence prevention initiatives. Flood recovery infrastructure investment ongoing.
FEMA PA records; maine.gov/flood; ME Emergency Management; NPR Apr 2024
2
Public health emergency response
Maine ranked 4th lowest in per capita COVID deaths nationally. 75.1% of age 12+ received at least one dose; 69.1% fully vaccinated. Age-based vaccination strategy prioritized elderly (85% of deaths were 70+). COVID response team led by ME CDC Director Nirav Shah. 493,000+ naloxone doses distributed since 2019 for concurrent opioid crisis. Civil emergency declared Mar 15, 2020, ended Jun 2021.
CDC COVID Data Tracker; ME CDC; Governor's Office vaccination updates 2021
2
Infrastructure failure prevention
No major infrastructure failures causing loss of life. Grid maintained through multiple severe nor'easters and windstorms (Dec 2023, Jan 2024, Apr 2024). CMP (Central Maine Power) reliability controversies predate Mills tenure. NECEC 145-mile transmission corridor now operational (Jan 2026), bringing Hydro-Quebec clean energy to New England grid.
ME PUC; Central Maine Power; WBUR Jan 2026; FEMA disaster records
3
National Guard deployment appropriateness
Maine National Guard deployed appropriately for COVID support (vaccination sites, logistics) and winter storm response. No controversial Guard deployments. Guard not deployed for political purposes. Maine Military Bureau coordinated with MEMA for disaster response. Lewiston shooting response involved law enforcement, not Guard deployment.
ME Military Bureau; MEMA; Governor's emergency declarations
2
Emergency communication
Regular COVID press briefings with ME CDC Director Shah. Radio addresses published on governor's website throughout tenure. Dec 2023 storm: prompt public warnings and disaster relief guidance. Post-Lewiston: regular updates, created independent commission. However, Lewiston shooting commission was exempted from FOAA transparency rules, drawing criticism.
ME Emergency Management Agency; Governor's Office; Maine Wire Nov 2023
3
Interagency coordination
COVID response team convened Mar 2, 2020 under ME CDC Director Shah — coordinated DHHS, MEMA, schools, healthcare providers. Dec 2023 flooding: coordinated MEMA, FEMA, county emergency management across 9 counties. Post-Lewiston: interagency coordination between law enforcement, military, mental health services. Small state size facilitates coordination.
ME Emergency Management Agency; Governor's Office; FEMA DR-4754-ME
2
Pandemic response metrics
Maine ranked 4th lowest in per capita COVID deaths. 75.1% of eligible received 1+ dose. 50%+ of eligible got booster shots. Age-based vaccine rollout (70+ first, then 60+, then general population). 14-day quarantine for out-of-staters upheld by federal court (May 2020). Schools reopened with measured approach — in-person by fall 2021. Civil emergency ended Jun 30, 2021.
CDC COVID Data Tracker; ME CDC; U.S. District Court (Walker ruling); Burbio
2
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
ASCE infrastructure grade improved to C for Maine (2021 report card). Multiple FEMA disaster declarations secured 2023-2024. Maine faces nor'easters, flooding, coastal erosion, and ice storm risks. ConnectMaine broadband expansion improves rural emergency communication. $70M proposed for affordable housing (Feb 2026) includes resilience components. Flood recovery hub at maine.gov/flood.
ME MEMA
2
Transparency & Ethics — 27/39 (69%) 13 metrics
FOIA/open records compliance
MIXED. 2019 National FOIA Coalition gave Maine one of lowest transparency grades (F, only 11 states worse). Mills administration FOAA compliance criticized: Maine Policy Institute says response times 'never been as poor.' Mills sued for failing to release travel schedules (Jul 2024). Heritage Foundation sued over FOAA non-compliance (May 2025). DAFS deputy admitted withholding documents from legislators.
National FOIA Coalition 2019; Maine Policy Institute; Central Maine Jul 2024; Maine Wire May 2025
1
Governor's schedule availability
Governor's schedule published on maine.gov/governor/mills website. However, Mills was sued (Jul 2024) for failing to provide copies of her schedule for three December 2023 days during severe windstorm under FOAA request. Selective availability — routine publishing but resistance to specific FOAA requests for detailed schedules.
ME Governor's Office website; Central Maine Jul 2024; Maine Policy Institute
2
Campaign finance compliance
No campaign finance violations. Maine Clean Election Act (voter-approved 1996) provides full public financing for state candidates. Mills did not use clean election funding for governor races. Vetoed LD 194 (foreign influence in campaign finance, Jun 2021) and refused to sign bill expanding clean elections to DA races. Nov 2025: voters passed $5,000 super PAC limit by 75%.
ME Ethics Commission; Maine Morning Star Jan 2025; ME Legislature LD 194
3
Financial disclosure
Financial disclosures filed as required under Maine law. Mills served as AG for 4 terms before becoming governor — familiar with disclosure requirements. No Ethics Commission complaints regarding financial disclosure. Standard compliance for elected officials.
ME Ethics Commission financial disclosure records
2
Open meetings compliance
No major open meetings violations by executive branch. FOAA includes open meetings requirements. However, Lewiston shooting commission was exempted from FOAA transparency rules (Nov 2023), drawing criticism that it operated behind closed doors. No formal AG enforcement actions for open meetings violations.
ME AG open meetings decisions; Maine Wire Nov 2023
3
Open data portal
Maine maintains data.maine.gov open data portal. State Controller publishes ACFR online (18 consecutive GFOA awards). Bureau of Budget publishes biennial proposals. ME DOL publishes employment dashboards. UI claims and trust fund data available at cwri.maine.gov. Portal adequate for state size but limited compared to larger states.
data.maine.gov; ME Office of State Controller; DataPortals.org
2
Budget transparency
Biennial budget proposals published online with full detail. FY2024-25 $10.3B and FY2026-27 proposals available at maine.gov/budget. Revenue Forecasting Committee reports published. ACFR published (18 consecutive GFOA awards). FY2025 surplus of $152.2M and rainy day fund balance ($1.03B) publicly disclosed. Budget hearing testimony accessible.
ME Bureau of the Budget; maine.gov/budget; GFOA; Governor's Office
2
Lobbying disclosure
Lobbying disclosure maintained through Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. Lobbyist registration and expenditure reports publicly available. NECEC corridor campaign saw $90M+ spent by advocates and opponents — disclosed through campaign finance reporting. Standard compliance with state lobbying laws.
ME Ethics Commission; Ballotpedia NECEC Question 1 2021 spending data
2
IG report publication
State Auditor reports published online. FY2024 Single Audit (76 findings) publicly available. OPEGA reports accessible. ACFR published for 18 consecutive years with GFOA recognition. County and municipal audit reports also published through State Auditor's website. Transparent reporting of audit findings including $2.1B procurement weakness.
ME State Auditor; OPEGA; maine.gov/audit
2
Legislative audit cooperation
Generally cooperates with legislative audits — State Auditor conducted FY2024 audit with 76 findings reported without interference. However, DAFS deputy director admitted to illegally withholding documents from legislators (Jan 2025), drawing bipartisan condemnation. Mills and Finance Commissioner remained silent on the controversy.
ME State Auditor; OPEGA; Maine Wire Jan 2025; Legislature doc 11988
2
Press conference accessibility
Regular radio addresses published on governor's website throughout tenure. COVID-era press briefings were frequent with ME CDC Director Shah. Post-COVID press availability standard. However, Lewiston shooting commission exempted from FOAA, and Mills administration accused of discriminating against certain journalists during COVID briefings.
ME Governor's Office media records; Maine Policy Institute; Maine Wire Nov 2023
2
State contract transparency
Contract information available through ME Division of Purchases portal. However, FY2024 audit found material weakness in procurement internal controls over $2.1B in spending. 51 of 76 audit findings were repeats, suggesting systemic procurement transparency issues. DAFS admitted withholding procurement documents from lawmakers.
ME Division of Purchases; ME State Auditor FY2024; Maine Wire Jan 2025
2
Court order compliance
General compliance with court orders. After Nov 2021 NECEC referendum, Mills asked developers to halt construction pending legal resolution — respected rule of law. Maine Supreme Court ruled referendum unconstitutional (Aug 2022); Mills accepted ruling. Complied with federal court decisions on COVID quarantine. No contempt findings.
Court records; ME Supreme Judicial Court Aug 2022; WBUR; Press Herald
2
Ethics & Integrity — 37/39 (95%) 13 metrics
Personal criminal charges
No criminal charges, investigations, or indictments in 7+ years as governor or prior public service career. Former 4-term AG (2009-2011, 2013-2019) and former DA — no ethics cloud from prior roles. First female governor of Maine. Remarkably clean personal legal record across decades of public service.
Court records; DOJ; ME Ethics Commission
3
Ethics complaints — substantiated
No substantiated ethics complaints against Mills across 7+ years as governor. Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices has not issued findings against her. Clean record contrasts with FOAA compliance criticisms, which are transparency issues rather than personal ethics violations.
ME Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices
3
Gift/travel disclosure
Financial disclosures and gift/travel reports filed as required. Mills sued for withholding travel schedule details under FOAA (Jul 2024), but this concerns public access to schedule rather than failure to disclose gifts or conflicts. No ethics violations related to gifts or travel during tenure.
ME Ethics Commission; Central Maine Jul 2024
2
Conflict of interest
No conflicts of interest documented. Reversed position on NECEC corridor (opposed as candidate, supported as governor after securing $14M/year ratepayer deal) — could be seen as pragmatism rather than conflict. Former 4-term AG and DA provides strong ethics training and awareness. No financial interests in policy decisions identified.
ME Ethics Commission; Down East Magazine NECEC timeline
3
State resources for political purposes
No documented misuse of state resources for political purposes. Clean separation between official and campaign activities. Currently running for U.S. Senate (announced Oct 2025) — no allegations of using governor's office resources for Senate campaign. Ethics Commission has not flagged state resource misuse.
ME Ethics Commission; CBS News Oct 2025
3
Truthfulness — official statements
No major documented false official statements. COVID-era public health messaging aligned with CDC guidance. Budget deficit projections ($450M) transparently communicated. Fitch upgrade and financial data accurately represented. No fact-check organizations have flagged systematic false claims by Mills.
ME Governor's Office records; Fitch Ratings; ME CDC
3
Ethics protection — strengthened or weakened
Ethics framework maintained — did not weaken Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. But vetoed LD 194 (foreign influence in campaign finance, Jun 2021) and refused to sign bill expanding Clean Elections Act to DA races. Voters passed $5,000 super PAC limit (Nov 2025, 75% approval). FOAA enforcement remains weak under her tenure.
ME Ethics Commission; LD 194; Maine Morning Star Jan 2025
2
Emoluments/self-enrichment
No self-enrichment or emoluments allegations during 7+ years as governor. Career public servant (DA, state legislator, AG, governor) without significant private sector wealth accumulation. Financial disclosures show no suspicious enrichment patterns. Clean record.
ME Ethics Commission; financial disclosures; Mills biography
3
Donor-to-appointment pipeline
No documented donor-to-appointment pipeline. Maine Clean Election Act provides public financing alternative that reduces pay-to-play dynamics. No allegations of selling appointments or granting access based on campaign contributions. Ethics Commission has not flagged donor influence on appointments.
ME Ethics Commission; campaign finance records; Clean Election Act
3
Foreign influence
No foreign influence connections. NECEC corridor involves Hydro-Quebec (Canadian crown corp) but Mills secured ratepayer protections ($14M/yr savings). Vetoed LD 194 (foreign influence in campaign finance bill, Jun 2021) — critics saw this as weakening foreign influence protections; Mills cited implementation concerns.
ME Ethics Commission; LD 194 veto message Jun 2021
3
Harassment — workplace/sexual
No workplace or sexual harassment complaints against Mills or senior staff reported during 7+ year tenure. No settlements or payouts related to harassment in governor's office. As first female governor, Mills has emphasized workplace respect standards.
ME Ethics Commission; ME Bureau of Human Resources; Governor's Office
3
Records preservation
No records destruction allegations. However, DAFS deputy admitted withholding documents from legislators (Jan 2025), and Mills administration faced criticism for slow/non-responsive FOAA processing. Heritage Foundation sued over document non-production (May 2025). Issues are withholding/delay rather than destruction. State Archives operating normally.
ME State Archives; Maine Wire Jan 2025; Maine Wire May 2025
3
Revolving door compliance
No revolving door violations documented. Mills herself is transitioning from governor to U.S. Senate candidate (announced Oct 2025) — standard political career progression. No staff departures to lobbying firms that raised ethics concerns. Clean revolving door compliance throughout tenure.
ME Ethics Commission; CBS News Oct 2025
3
Program Management — 24/36 (67%) 12 metrics
Major fraud in state programs
No major fraud scandals in state programs. FY2024 Single Audit found procurement oversight weaknesses ($2.1B exposure) and 76 findings, but no fraud findings. UI trust fund solvent (AHCM 1.80). No DOL OIG fraud investigations against Maine. Republican FOAA request for fraud report data (Dec 2025) suggests political concern but no confirmed fraud.
ME State Auditor FY2024; DOL OIG; Maine Wire Dec 2025
3
Program integrity — improper payments
FY2024 audit found deficiencies in eligibility determination for school meals and welfare programs. 51 of 76 findings repeated from prior years — indicates persistent compliance gaps. However, no systemic fraud identified. Small state population (1.4M) aids individual case oversight. Universal free school meals program ($64M/yr) reduced some eligibility verification needs.
ME State Auditor FY2024 Single Audit; Central Maine Apr 2025
2
IT modernization vs failures
Maine OIT building Enterprise PMO with focus on organizational transformation. OIT Director Dawnna Pease won 2024 StateScoop 50 Award. Cloud Center of Excellence established. ConnectMaine Authority deploying $129M ARPA + $15M bond for broadband to 11,000+ locations. Maine Digital Government Summit held annually. No major IT system failures.
ME Office of Information Technology; StateScoop 2024; maine.gov/oit; ConnectMaine
2
Permit/license processing
Cannabis licensing: 180 licensed retail stores operating statewide (up from 37 in 2021), generating $244M in 2024 sales. Adult-use market regulated with 15% excise + 10% sales tax (14% from Jan 2026). No major permit processing complaints. FOAA request processing has been slow, but business permit/license processing at standard pace.
ME regulatory agencies; Maine Public Jan 2025; mainecannabis.org
2
Child welfare outcomes
CONCERNING. Foster care population at 20-year high of 2,579 (Jul 2024). Maine removes children at 4.14 per 1,000 — 75% above national rate of 2.4. Foster care grew faster than any other state 2019-2023. New OCFS leadership (Bobbi Johnson, 30-yr CPS veteran) hired Jan 2024. Child welfare vacancies dropped 40% (111 to 65, Jan-May 2024). Active reform efforts but outcomes poor.
ME DHHS; Maine Monitor; Press Herald Jun 2025; ACF CFSR data
2
Medicaid administration
Implemented voter-approved Medicaid expansion (Jan 2019, first official act) — 90,000+ Mainers gained coverage through MaineCare. CMS approved Apr 2019. But $118M Medicaid funding gap emerged by 2025. Provider reimbursement frozen. FY2026-27 budget proposes healthcare cuts drawing Democratic criticism. Expansion population served but fiscal sustainability challenged.
ME DHHS; CMS Apr 2019; MECEP analysis; News Center Maine; KFF
1
Environmental compliance
Strong environmental agenda. Signed 100% clean energy by 2040 (LD 1868, Jun 2025). Authorized 3,000MW offshore wind procurement by 2040 (LD 1895, 2023). NECEC 145-mile transmission corridor operational Jan 2026, delivering Hydro-Quebec clean energy. Maine EPA Region 1 compliance good. State Priority Climate Action Plan filed Mar 2024. Clean air and water quality maintained.
EPA Region 1; ME DEP; LD 1868; LD 1895; WBUR Jan 2026; EPA PCAP Mar 2024
2
Transportation project delivery
MaineDOT 3-year work plan: $4.74B covering 2,672 projects (2024-2026), including 302 bridge projects at $706M. IIJA delivering $1.3B over 5 years. $200M federal awards in 2024 ($70M Waterville/Sidney bridges, $60M I-395 corridor). Maine motorists lose $1.6B/year on rough/congested roads per TRIP report (Oct 2024). FY2024-25 highway fund increased $165M/year.
MaineDOT STIP; FHWA; TRIP Oct 2024; Maine Public Nov 2024
2
Unemployment insurance system
UI system healthy post-pandemic. Trust fund solvent: AHCM 1.80 (well above 1.0 threshold). Employer tax at Schedule A (lowest level) since 2022 — rates 0.28%-6.03%, avg $253.20/employee/year. Mills added $50M to UI trust fund during pandemic ($25M x2). Unemployment at 3.2% (Dec 2025), below national 4.4%. Below 4% for 48 consecutive months.
ME DOL; DOL UI Solvency Report; Governor's Office pandemic UI support; BLS
2
Veterans services
Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services operates statewide, securing millions in VA benefits claims monthly. Togus VA Medical Center earned 5-star CMS rating in both patient satisfaction and quality (one of 2 in New England, Sep 2024). New 12-bed inpatient substance use disorder facility broke ground at Togus (May 2024). VA Maine serves veterans at 10 locations across state.
ME Bureau of Veterans' Services; Maine Public Sep 2024; VA.gov; Maine Public May 2024
2
Housing/homelessness
SEVERE CRISIS. 64% of households cannot afford median home (up from 39% in 2020). Median home price ~$400K — doubled since 2020. Median income $73,275 but need $120,938 to afford median home. MaineHousing produced 775 affordable units (2024), 755 (2025) — well above historical average but far short of need. Construction cost doubled ($153K/unit in 2019 to $348K/unit). Mills proposed $70M for affordable housing (Feb 2026) and $10M Affordable Homeownership Program.
MaineHousing 2025 Outlook; News Center Maine; Press Herald Jan 2026; Governor's Office
1
Corrections system
No DOJ interventions or consent decrees. Incarceration rate ~132 per 100K (among lowest in US). Prison population dropped from 2018 peak but rose 19% between 2021-2023. ME DOC joined Jobs for the Future State Action Networks for prisoner education/workforce (up to $2.1M funding + $1.8M tech assistance). Racial disparity: 10.5% of male inmates are Black vs 1.7% state population.
ME DOC; Prison Policy; ME DOC education announcement; Vera Institute
3
Federal Relations — 11/15 (73%) 5 metrics
Federal funding captured
Maine received $4.6B total ARPA funding; deployed ~$1B through Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. IIJA delivering $1.3B for roads/bridges (29% increase over prior funding). $225M for bridge repairs. $200M in 2024 DOT awards. $129M ARPA for broadband. Effective federal funding capture relative to state population (1.4M).
USASpending.gov; maine.gov/jobsplan; IIJA allocations; Maine Public Nov 2024
2
Corrective action compliance
No federal corrective actions, sanctions, or fund suspensions. FY2024 Single Audit identified 76 findings but none resulted in federal funding loss. ARPA spending on track (deadline end 2026). Federal disaster declarations (3 in 2024) processed smoothly. No federal clawbacks or grant terminations.
Federal grant compliance records; ME State Auditor FY2024; FEMA records
3
Interstate compacts/cooperation
Active in New England Governors Conference. Maine Defense Industry Alliance created with bipartisan federal delegation (Collins, King, Pingree) to recruit 7,500+ defense workers for BIW, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pratt & Whitney. NECEC corridor is interstate project delivering Quebec hydropower through Maine to Massachusetts. Regional cooperation on clean energy (100% by 2040 goal).
Interstate compact registries; Collins/King MDIA press release Mar 2024; NECEC
2
State-local government relations
Generally cooperative with municipalities. Cannabis tax revenue sharing: towns could finally get a cut of $244M in 2024 recreational sales (legislation Feb 2025). Revenue sharing formula tensions on property tax burden. Portland migrant shelter costs strain state-local relations. Feb 2026 proposed $218.9M in $300 relief checks to 725K residents distributed through local systems.
ME Municipal Association; Press Herald Feb 2025; Maine Public Feb 2026
2
Litigation cost to state
Low litigation costs overall. COVID quarantine challenge dismissed (federal court upheld EO, May 2020). NECEC referendum litigation resolved by Maine Supreme Court (Aug 2022, referendum unconstitutional). FOAA lawsuits (travel schedule Jul 2024, Heritage Foundation May 2025) are low-cost. No major constitutional litigation or DOJ enforcement actions against state.
ME AG office; U.S. District Court; ME Supreme Judicial Court; court records
2
Constituent Service — 11/15 (73%) 5 metrics
Constituent response time
Governor's Office maintains constituent services for 1.4M-population state. Regular radio addresses published on website. COVID-era briefings with ME CDC Director Shah were frequent and informative. Post-Lewiston shooting response included community engagement and mental health crisis center funding. Accessible office for small state.
ME Governor's Office constituent services; maine.gov/governor/mills
3
Town halls/public engagement
Regular radio addresses. Toured state promoting free community college program (Feb 2026, visited Presque Isle). Public engagement on Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. COVID press briefings with CDC Director Shah. Post-Lewiston community engagement. Maine's small population and town meeting tradition create expectation of gubernatorial accessibility.
ME Governor's Office; Bangor Daily News Feb 2026; Governor's radio address archive
2
Satisfaction/approval rating
Morning Consult: 6th most unpopular governor (Apr 2024); least popular Democratic governor (Apr-Jun 2025, +2 net approval). UNH/Granite State Poll (Apr 2025): Mainers divided on Mills. Won reelection Nov 2022 with 55.69% (13-pt margin, largest for statewide Dem). 377K votes — most ever for ME gubernatorial candidate. Approval declined from 53-60% range to borderline positive.
Morning Consult Q2 2025; UNH Survey Center Apr 2025; NPR Nov 2022; ME SOS 2022 results
2
ADA/accessibility compliance
No reported ADA compliance issues in state facilities or services. State website meets accessibility standards. COVID vaccine distribution included accommodations for elderly and disabled (age-based rollout prioritized 70+, then 60+). ConnectMaine broadband expansion improves digital accessibility for rural/disabled residents.
ME Governor's Office; ADA compliance records; ConnectMaine
2
Electoral mandate/succession
Won reelection Nov 2022 with 55.69% — 13-point margin over former Gov. LePage. 377K votes, most ever for ME governor. Term-limited, cannot run again. Announced U.S. Senate candidacy Oct 2025 to challenge Susan Collins. Facing Democratic primary vs Graham Platner (Jun 9, 2026). Approval declining but still net positive. Endorsed by DSCC, Schumer, Gillibrand.
ME Secretary of State 2022; CBS News Oct 2025; NBC News; UNH Oct 2025
2
Section B — State Outcomes 558/975
13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.
Economic Performance — 45/75 (60%)
BLS LAUS: ME unemployment below 4% for 48 consecutive months through Dec 2025 (3.2%, well below national 4.4%) — one of longest sustained low-unemployment stretches in state history. 12,000+ new business filings in first 8 months of 2025. BUT: GDP declined 1.2% in Q1 2025. Aging workforce (median age 44.8, oldest nationally) structurally limits growth. Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan deployed ~$1B in ARPA funds across economy. Defense Industry Alliance created (bipartisan with Collins/King/Pingree) targeting 7,500+ defense workers for BIW, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pratt & Whitney. Below-average long-term growth forecast due to demographics.
Population & Demographics — 30/75 (40%)
Census 2025: Maine population reached record 1,414,874 (up 0.5%). Median age 44.8 years — oldest state in nation (unchanged since 2020, only state not to see age increase). All 16 counties had natural population decline (more deaths than births) — Maine is one of 17 states with natural decrease. Growth driven entirely by migration: +5,329 domestic (20th nationally at 7.5 per thousand), +5,196 international in 2024. International migration slowed in 2025 but domestic migration rose to ~7,400. Population hovered around 1.3M for two decades before surging to 1.4M post-COVID (remote work trend). Androscoggin County youngest (40.5), Lincoln County oldest (51.9).
Budget & Fiscal Health — 45/75 (60%)
Credit rating upgraded to AA+ by Fitch (Aug 2025) — strong positive signal. But facing $450M biennial deficit. Proposed tax increases (cigarettes, cannabis, streaming, pensions) controversial. $118M Medicaid gap. Rainy day fund adequate but being drawn down.
Public Safety — 55/75 (73%)
FBI UCR 2024: Maine had LOWEST violent crime rate in the nation — 100 violent offenses per 100K (national average 359). 35 homicides recorded statewide in 2024 (15 domestic violence related), up from trend but 2023 included 18 Lewiston mass shooting victims (53 total). 2025: state police investigated 21 homicides — decline. Maine's 3 largest cities recorded just 1 homicide in 2025. Lewiston shootings surging (36 in 2024, vs 10 in 2019) but concentrated geographically (83% between Russell St and Androscoggin River). Incarceration rate ~132 per 100K (among lowest nationally). Post-Lewiston: Mills signed 72-hour waiting period and yellow flag law expansion (2024).
Education Outcomes — 45/75 (60%)
Maine Free College program launched under Mills — free community college for ME residents (promoted statewide tour Feb 2026, Presque Isle visit). Universal free school meals for all K-12 students. Student Opportunity Act investment maintains funding. NAEP: Maine performs above national average across most categories. Per-pupil spending above national average (~$15K). BUT: aging population (median age 44.8, oldest nationally) driving K-12 enrollment decline — many rural schools consolidating. Lewiston shooting (Oct 2023, 18 killed) prompted school safety investments. Education outcomes solid but workforce training gap as aging population retires faster than new workers enter.
Healthcare Access — 40/75 (53%)
Medicaid expansion implemented 2019 (voter-approved 2017 referendum, LePage blocked — Mills signed as first act). 90,000+ residents enrolled in MaineCare expansion. Togus VA Medical Center earned 5-star CMS rating in patient satisfaction and quality (one of 2 in New England, Sep 2024). New 12-bed inpatient substance use disorder facility broke ground at Togus (May 2024). BUT: $118M Medicaid funding gap in FY2026-27 biennium. Provider reimbursement rates frozen. Rural healthcare access challenges — critical access hospitals under financial strain. Aging population (oldest median age nationally) drives disproportionate healthcare demand.
Infrastructure Quality — 40/75 (53%)
Broadband expansion priority: ConnectMaine deploying $129M ARPA for broadband, targeting 100% coverage. MaineDOT 3-year work plan: $4.74B covering 2,672 projects (2024-2026) including 302 bridge projects at $706M. IIJA delivering $1.3B over 5 years (29% increase over prior funding). $200M federal DOT awards in 2024 ($70M Waterville/Sidney bridges, $60M I-395 corridor). TRIP report (Oct 2024): Maine motorists lose $1.6B/year on rough/congested roads. FY2024-25 highway fund increased $165M/year. Aging rural infrastructure remains challenge but federal funding significantly improving capacity.
Cost of Living — 35/75 (47%)
SEVERE HOUSING CRISIS: 64% of ME households cannot afford median home (up from 39% in 2020). Median home price ~$400K — doubled since 2020. Need $120,938 income to afford median home vs actual median $73,275. MaineHousing produced 775 affordable units (2024), 755 (2025) — well above historical average but far short of need. Construction cost doubled ($153K/unit in 2019 to $348K/unit). Mills proposed $70M for affordable housing (Feb 2026) and $10M Affordable Homeownership Program. BEA RPP rising above national average. New England energy costs elevated — heating oil dependence in rural areas adds winter burden. Proposed tax increases (cigarettes, cannabis, streaming, pensions) would add further cost pressure.
Transparency & Accountability — 50/75 (67%)
Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) provides broad public records access but enforcement weak — Maine Policy Institute grades FOAA as having 'little individual accountability' and relying on 'internal agency review rather than expert external action.' Over 300 statutory exceptions to public records definition. AG's Office of Information Policy oversees compliance and provides guidance. FOAA lawsuits: Governor's travel schedule (Jul 2024), Heritage Foundation request (May 2025) — both low-cost resolutions. No major transparency scandals. Credit rating upgrade to AA+ (Fitch, Aug 2025) reflects fiscal transparency. Clean Elections Act provides campaign finance transparency. DAFS deputy admitted withholding documents from lawmakers (Jan 2025) — administrative consequences only.
Controversy & Scandal — 55/75 (73%)
Remarkably low controversy for 7+ year two-term tenure. Zero ethics investigations, zero personal scandals, zero corruption allegations. DAFS deputy admitted withholding documents from lawmakers (Jan 2025) — administrative consequences only. Clashed with Trump administration on transgender athlete policy (threatened federal funding). $450M biennial budget deficit drew criticism. Proposed tax increases (cigarettes, cannabis, streaming, pensions) controversial. Petition to repeal state budget showed public frustration. FOAA lawsuits over travel schedule (Jul 2024) and Heritage Foundation request (May 2025) are minor. Post-Lewiston gun legislation (72-hour waiting period, yellow flag expansion) divided opinion. Overall: among cleanest records for any two-term governor nationally.
Historical Context — 45/75 (60%)
First woman elected governor of Maine (2018, reelected 2022 with 55.69% — largest margin for statewide Democrat, 377K votes most ever for ME governor). Predecessor Paul LePage (R, 2011-2019) was combative and blocked voter-approved Medicaid expansion — Mills signed Medicaid expansion as one of her first acts (2019), enrolling 90K+ residents. Fitch credit upgrade to AA+ (Aug 2025), Moody's Aa1 reaffirmed — both improved from downgrades under prior administration. FY2025 surplus of $152.2M. Rainy day Fund at record $1.03B (18% of General Fund revenues — statutory maximum). Lowest violent crime rate in the nation (2024). ConnectMaine broadband expansion. Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan ($1B ARPA deployed). BUT: $450M biennial deficit, housing crisis (64% cannot afford median home), aging population (oldest median age nationally). Term-limited; running for U.S. Senate 2026 vs Collins.
Constituent Verdict — 40/75 (53%)
Approval volatile in second term: Morning Consult ranked Mills 6th most unpopular governor (Apr 2024), then least popular Democratic governor nationally (Apr-Jun 2025, +2 net approval). UNH/Granite State Poll (Apr 2025): Mainers 'divided' on Mills. Declined from 53-60% range to borderline positive. Won reelection 2022 with 55.69% (13-point margin over former Gov. LePage, 377K votes — most ever for ME governor). Now term-limited, announced U.S. Senate candidacy (Oct 2025) to challenge Susan Collins. Facing Democratic primary vs Graham Platner (Jun 9, 2026). Endorsed by DSCC, Schumer, Gillibrand. Budget frustrations ($450M deficit) and proposed tax increases driving second-term dissatisfaction.
Immigration & Law Compliance — 33/75 (44%)
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Section C — Oath Fidelity +14 (-378 to +378)
126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.
+3Exemplary
+2Strong
+1Adequate
0Neutral
-1Concerning
-2Failing
-3Hostile
Protection of Life
Declaration of Independence: 'Life'; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: 22
Range: -93 to 93
Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
EXEMPLARY. Maine had LOWEST violent crime rate in the nation -- 100 per 100K in 2024 (national average 359). Consistently lowest or near-lowest throughout Mills tenure.
FBI UCR/NIBRS 2024
+3
Homicide rate relative to national average
35 homicides statewide in 2024 (15 DV-related). 2025: state police investigated 21 homicides -- decline. Maine's 3 largest cities recorded just 1 homicide in 2025. Well below national average even accounting for Lewiston shooting year (2023: 53 total including 18 mass shooting victims).
FBI UCR; Maine State Police; Lewiston Commission
+2
Homicide clearance rate
Small caseload allows higher clearance. Maine State Police investigate most homicides in a small state. Generally above national average clearance rate.
FBI UCR; ME State Police
+1
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
Maine rural communities face recruitment challenges. State police adequate but rural coverage gaps persist across 35,385 sq mi with 1.4M population. No major staffing initiatives.
FBI LEOKA; ME DPS
0
Drug overdose death rate trend
IMPROVING. 20% decline in fatal overdoses in 2025 (390 deaths, lowest since 2019). Three consecutive years of double-digit declines. 800,000 naloxone doses distributed since 2019, reversing 12,000+ overdoses. 69,000+ received SUD treatment through MaineCare expansion. But meth-fentanyl combo deaths rising (44% of 2025 deaths).
ME Governor's Office Feb 2026; Maine Drug Data Hub; Press Herald Nov 2025
+1
Emergency management preparedness
Maine EMA adequate for state's risk profile (nor'easters, coastal storms). Three FEMA disaster declarations secured in 2024 alone. Standard FEMA compliance. No major preparedness failures.
FEMA SPR; ME EMA; FEMA DR-4754-ME
+1
Preventable mass-casualty event response
Post-Lewiston mass shooting (Oct 25, 2023, 18 killed, 13 injured): Mills responded with legislative action (72-hour waiting period, background check expansion, yellow flag expansion). Created independent commission. Funded $6M+ mental health crisis center in Lewiston. Adequate response though Lewiston commission was exempted from FOAA transparency rules.
Lewiston Independent Commission Aug 2024; NPR Apr 2024; ME Governor's Office
+1
Infrastructure safety -- bridge and road conditions
MaineDOT 3-year work plan: $4.74B covering 2,672 projects including 302 bridge projects at $706M. IIJA delivering $1.3B over 5 years. Improving trajectory but motorists still lose $1.6B/year on rough/congested roads per TRIP report (Oct 2024).
FHWA NBI; MaineDOT; ASCE; TRIP Oct 2024
+1
Water and dam safety compliance
No major drinking water crises. PFAS contamination concerns in some agricultural areas being addressed with state program. Dam safety program adequate for state's risk profile.
EPA SDWIS; ME DEP
+1
Healthcare access -- uninsured rate
Medicaid expansion (signed 2019, first act) enrolled 90K+ residents via MaineCare. Uninsured rate reduced significantly from LePage era. 230,000+ now covered through MaineCare expansion. But $118M Medicaid funding gap emerged and provider reimbursement rates frozen.
Census ACS; KFF; MaineCare enrollment; ME DHHS
+2
Maternal mortality rate
ME maternal mortality rate below or near national average. Small population creates statistical volatility. Rural access challenges but outcomes adequate.
CDC WONDER; ME DHHS
+1
Infant mortality rate
ME infant mortality rate below national average (~5.0-5.5 per 1K). Among better-performing states on this metric.
CDC WONDER; ME DHHS
+2
Self-defense rights -- Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
Maine has Castle Doctrine with duty to retreat outside the home. Not Stand Your Ground. Post-Lewiston: 72-hour waiting period delays lawful self-defense firearm acquisition. Yellow flag expansion lowers threshold for temporary gun confiscation. Self-defense framework weakened during tenure.
ME Title 17-A Sec. 108; post-Lewiston legislation 2024
0
Death penalty procedural safeguards
Maine abolished death penalty in 1887 -- one of first states. LWOP available. Victim restitution programs exist. Abolitionist state with adequate alternative framework. No Mills action needed.
Death Penalty Information Center; ME statutes
+1
Suicide prevention program funding
ME suicide rate near national average. More than half of gun deaths are suicides (cited by Mills as justification for waiting period). 988 integration underway. Rural access to mental health limited. Some state programs but comprehensive strategy lacking.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP ME; ME Governor's Office
0
911/emergency response time adequacy
Rural Maine has significant EMS response time challenges. Large geographic area with sparse population. Urban areas adequate. Statewide performance mixed. ConnectMaine broadband may improve rural emergency communication.
ME EMS Board; NEMSIS
0
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
IMPROVING. Overdose deaths down 20% in 2025 (three consecutive years of decline). New 12-bed inpatient SUD facility at Togus VA (May 2024). OPTIONS program statewide. 800,000 naloxone doses distributed. 69,000+ received SUD treatment via MaineCare. But fentanyl seizures remain high (24+ lbs in 2025) and rural treatment access limited.
SAMHSA; ME DHHS; ME Governor's Office Feb 2026; Maine Drug Data Hub
+1
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
Togus VA Medical Center earned 5-star CMS rating in patient satisfaction and quality (one of 2 in New England, Sep 2024). New 12-bed SUD facility broke ground (May 2024). Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services secures millions in VA benefits claims monthly. Strong veteran healthcare.
VA SAIL; Togus VA; CMS ratings; Maine Public Sep 2024
+2
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
ME food safety program adequate. Seafood industry inspection important for state economy. No major outbreaks linked to state failures.
FDA Conformance Standards; ME DHHS
+1
Workplace fatality rate
ME workplace fatality rate below national average. Logging/forestry and fishing industries carry inherent risk but overall rate manageable.
BLS CFOI; OSHA
+1
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
CONCERNING. 15 of 35 homicides in 2024 were DV-related (43%). Post-Lewiston: $6M+ for mental health crisis centers and youth services. DV programs funded. But DV homicide share is high and Lewiston shootings surging (36 in 2024, up from 10 in 2019).
NNEDV; ME DV organizations; Maine State Police
0
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
ME incarceration rate ~132 per 100K (among lowest nationally). No active DOJ investigations or consent decrees. Prison conditions adequate. ME DOC joined Jobs for the Future education program. Racial disparity: 10.5% of male inmates are Black vs 1.7% state population.
BJS; ME DOC; Vera Institute
+1
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
ME generally good air quality. PFAS contamination in agricultural areas being addressed with state program. Superfund sites on track. Signed 100% clean energy by 2040 (LD 1868). Environmental health adequate.
EPA Green Book; ME DEP; LD 1868
+1
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
WORSENING. Traffic fatalities increased 37% over last decade (131 in 2014 to 179 in 2024) -- WORSE than national 20% increase. Fatality rate per 100M VMT up 28% vs national 11%. 6 pedestrian deaths in first 2 months of 2025 (vs 0 same period 2024). Rural roads and wildlife collisions contribute.
NHTSA FARS; MaineDOT; TRIP Jul 2025; Press Herald Mar 2025
-1
Sanctity of life legislative framework
FAILING. Signed LD 1619 (Jul 2023) removing viability restrictions -- first state post-Dobbs to eliminate late-term abortion restrictions via legislature. No gestational limit with physician judgment. Signed LD 935 eliminating all copays/deductibles for abortion. State Medicaid covers abortion. Shield law for providers (2024). Among most permissive abortion frameworks in nation.
Guttmacher; ME LD 1619 (2023); LD 935; ACLU Maine; Planned Parenthood
-3
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
Proposed $16M Emergency Housing Relief Fund. Invested $55M in housing programs supporting 7,000+ people. Awarded $12M for 92 new affordable apartments.
Maine Public; maine.gov
+1
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
Maine faces rural population challenges but Mills invested in healthcare access and broadband. No specific closures tied to her policies.
maine.gov
0
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
Budget includes $127M for policing (nearly $18M increase). Doubled OPTIONS Liaisons pairing law enforcement with substance abuse professionals.
maine.gov; Maine Beacon
+1
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
No significant early release programs or no-cash-bail policies. Corrections budget increasing substantially.
maine.gov; Maine Beacon
0
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
Maine allows transgender athletes to compete as identified gender. Mills aggressively defended transgender student protections against federal investigations.
NPR; K-12 Dive
-2
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
Established statewide network of crisis receiving centers. Improved mobile crisis teams via 988 lifeline. Strengthened ERPOs (used 392 times). Major post-Lewiston mental health reform.
maine.gov
+2
Child Welfare & Parental Rights
Meyer v. Nebraska; Pierce v. Society of Sisters; Troxel v. Granville; 14th Amendment
Score: -3
Range: -75 to 75
Items: 25
Parental rights legislation
No Parental Bill of Rights statute. Signed LD 535 (2023) allowing minors age 16+ to receive gender-affirming puberty blockers/hormones WITHOUT parental consent. Trans student protections in schools under MHRC guidelines without parental notification requirements. Eliminated religious exemptions for vaccinations (LD 798). Pattern of overriding parental authority on medical and educational decisions.
ME legislature; LD 535 (2023); LD 798 (2019); Parental Rights Foundation
-2
Education choice -- school choice programs
Maine has historic Town Tuitioning program but Mills CAPPED charter schools at 10 (2019) and capped virtual charter school enrollment at 1,000. Opposed universal ESA/voucher proposals. No expansion of school choice during tenure. Limited existing choice framework compared to national trend toward expansion.
EdChoice ME; ME DOE; ME Legislature 2019
-1
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures
Signed LD 535 (2023) allowing minors age 16+ to consent to gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones WITHOUT parental consent if diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Reproductive health services accessible to minors without parental consent. Broader minor consent exceptions than most states. Direct undermining of parental authority over children's medical decisions.
ME LD 535 (2023); Erin in the Morning; ME statutes; Guttmacher
-2
Gender-transition procedures for minors
DIRECT ACTION: Signed LD 535 (2023) -- minors 16+ can receive puberty blockers/hormones without parental consent. Signed shield law (2024) making Maine a sanctuary for gender-affirming care providers from restrictive states. MaineCare covers transition procedures for minors. Mills clashed with Trump admin over transgender athlete policy. 16 Republican AGs opposed Maine's shield law. Maine became one of only 14 states with trans care shield law.
ME LD 535 (2023); 2024 shield law; ME DHHS; Reuters tracker; Maine Public Mar 2024
-2
Child abuse/neglect -- substantiated case rate
CRISIS. Foster care at 20-year high (2,579 in Jul 2024, 2,373 at Dec 2024). Child removal rate 4.14 per 1,000 -- 75% ABOVE national average of 2.4. Foster care population grew faster than any other state 2019-2023. ME had 2nd highest maltreatment referral rate nationally (106.9 per 1,000 children in 2023). OCFS took 900 children in 2024. Licensed foster families dropped to 1,583 -- lowest since 2019.
ACF NCANDS; ME DHHS OCFS; Maine Monitor; Press Herald Sep 2024
-2
Foster care -- CFSR conformity
ME foster care moving AGAINST national trends -- population grew while national foster care declined. 20-year high suggests systemic failure. Child removal rate 75% above national average. Caseworker vacancies dropped 40% (Jan-May 2024) but system remains stressed. New OCFS leadership (Jan 2024) initiated reforms but outcomes remain poor.
ACF CFSR; ME DHHS; Maine Monitor; Maine Wire Aug 2025
-2
Foster care -- permanency outcomes
High removal rate creates permanent backlog. Foster care population at 20-year high. Licensed foster families at lowest since 2019 (1,583). Reunification and permanency challenged when system is overwhelmed. Below standard for a small state.
ACF AFCARS; ME DHHS; NCCPR Blog Feb 2025
-1
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
ME has trafficking statute and AG program. Safe harbor provisions for minors. ICAC task force funded. Small state population limits scale but adequate framework. 287(g) ban may complicate federal cooperation on trafficking involving immigrants.
Polaris Project; ME AG; ICAC
+1
4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
Maine performs above national average on NAEP reading. Solid K-12 outcomes. Per-pupil spending above national average (~$15K). Universal free school meals supports student performance.
NCES NAEP
+2
8th grade NAEP math proficiency
ME 8th grade math near or slightly above national average. Better than most New England states on some measures. Adequate outcomes.
NCES NAEP
+1
Parental curriculum transparency
ME has standard curriculum access. No comprehensive parental transparency statute enacted under Mills. Parents can request materials. Average framework. No action taken to improve.
ME DOE; school board policies
0
Social media -- minor protections
Maine has not enacted specific social media minor protection legislation beyond federal COPPA baseline. No action taken.
ME legislature; NCSL tracker
0
Juvenile justice -- age-appropriate treatment
ME juvenile jurisdiction to 18. Rehabilitation-focused approach. Low incarceration rate (~132/100K) reflects overall approach. ME DOC joined Jobs for the Future education program. Long Bridge juvenile facility adequate.
OJJDP ME; Campaign for Youth Justice; ME DOC
+1
Child poverty rate and state response
ME child poverty rate below national average. Universal free school meals for all K-12 students -- among first states. Maine Free College program (22,300+ enrolled since 2022). Cost of living challenges offset by support programs.
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT
+1
Adoption and permanency
ME adoption system standard. Small state with limited capacity. High foster care numbers suggest adoption pipeline stressed. No major reforms or barriers documented.
ACF AFCARS; ME DHHS
0
Homeschool rights and protections
Maine has moderate homeschool framework. Annual assessment required (standardized test or portfolio review). Reasonable regulation. Not overly restrictive or permissive. No changes under Mills.
HSLDA ME; ME statute
0
CSAM enforcement
ME ICAC task force funded. AG prosecution adequate for state size. Small caseload managed appropriately.
ICAC ME; ME AG
+1
School safety
Post-Lewiston: significant school safety investments. $10M+ for mental health crisis centers and youth services. SRO programs in larger schools. Improved framework after tragedy.
ME DOE; NASRO; ME Governor's Office
+1
Children's mental health services access
ME mental health services moderate. Rural access challenges persist. Post-Lewiston investments improving capacity. School counselor ratios near average. Not comprehensive.
ASCA; ME DHHS
0
Childhood vaccination -- parental choice
DIRECT ACTION: Mills signed LD 798 (May 2019) eliminating BOTH philosophical AND religious exemptions for school vaccinations. Medical exemption only with physician attestation. Maine became only 4th state (with CA, MS, WV) to eliminate ALL non-medical exemptions. Voters attempted veto referendum (Mar 2020) which narrowly failed. Among most restrictive states for parental vaccine choice in the nation.
ME LD 798 (2019); Ballotpedia Question 1 2020; NCSL vaccination data
-2
Child care affordability and access
ME child care affordable relative to some states. Rural child care deserts persist. Some state investment. $2,000 childcare reimbursement in Dec 2023 state worker contract. Average access overall.
ACF CCDF; ME DHHS; MSEA contract Dec 2023
0
Teacher quality and retention
ME teacher compensation near regional average. Some recruitment challenges in rural areas. Free College program helps teacher pipeline. Retention adequate. Lewiston schools overwhelmed by influx of immigrant students requiring ESL resources.
NEA salary rankings; ME DOE; Maine Wire
+1
Child nutrition -- food insecurity
STRONG. Universal free school meals for all K-12 students -- Maine among first states to implement. Child food insecurity below national average. $27M initial investment, now $64M/year ongoing. Strong nutritional safety net.
USDA FNS; Feeding America; ME data
+2
Custody/family court -- due process
ME family court due process standard. Small court system generally accessible. No documented systemic due process concerns. High child removal rate raises questions about parent representation quality.
ME courts; ABA; NCCPR
0
Children with disabilities -- IDEA compliance
ME IDEA compliance standard. 'Needs Assistance' at typical level. Per-pupil spending supports special education. Average performance.
OSEP annual determinations; ME DOE
0
Faithful Discharge of Duties
Gubernatorial oath: 'faithfully discharge the duties of office'
Score: 4
Range: -123 to 123
Items: 41
Budget balance -- structural surplus/deficit
FY2025 ended with $152.2M surplus. But FY2026-27 faces $450M biennial deficit. Proposed tax increases on cigarettes, cannabis, streaming, pensions, pharmacy providers. Strong years followed by structural deficit. Mixed position.
ME Bureau of the Budget; NASBO; Maine Policy Institute
0
State credit rating stability
Fitch upgraded ME from AA to AA+ (Aug 2025) -- 2nd highest rating. Moody's Aa1 reaffirmed. Significant credit improvement over tenure. Better than predecessor LePage era. Strong fiscal stewardship on this metric.
Fitch Aug 2025; Moody's
+2
Rainy day fund adequacy
EXEMPLARY. Rainy day fund at record $1.03B (18% of General Fund revenue -- statutory maximum). Built up significantly during tenure. Now proposing drawing $300M+ for affordability relief checks ($218.9M for 725K residents) and housing ($70M). Strong buildup but drawdown beginning.
ME Treasurer; NASBO; Maine Public Feb 2026
+3
Pension system funding responsibility
MainePERS overall funded ratio improved to 86.3% (Jun 2024). State Employee & Teacher plan at 148.5% funded. Making ARC payments. Fitch cited 'low long-term liability burden that has shrunk over time.' Responsible management.
MainePERS 2024 Actuarial Valuation; Fitch Aug 2025
+1
State debt burden
ME debt per capita moderate. GO bond debt $559.37M (Jun 2023). Low long-term liability burden cited by Fitch as upgrade factor. Debt declining relative to economy. Modest voter-approved bonds for broadband/R&D.
Census; Moody's; Fitch upgrade report; ME Treasurer
+1
Government efficiency
ME state employee headcount near national median per capita for small states. Created new agencies (Office of New Americans, Maine Connectivity Authority) adding bureaucracy. No major efficiency reforms. General Assistance spending tripled ($13M to $43M) for asylum seekers.
Census ASPE; BLS; ME Governor's Office
0
Inspector General / auditor independence
CONCERNING. DAFS deputy director admitted to illegally withholding procurement documents from legislators (Jan 2025). 51 of 76 audit findings repeated from prior years -- persistent non-compliance. Mills and Finance Commissioner remained silent on withholding controversy. State Auditor operates independently but administration not responsive to oversight.
ME State Auditor FY2024; Maine Wire Jan 2025; Legislature doc 11988
-1
Ethics violations and personal scandals
Zero ethics investigations, zero personal scandals, zero corruption allegations across 7+ year two-term tenure. Remarkably clean personal record for any two-term governor. Former 4-term AG background.
ME Ethics Commission; financial disclosures
+2
Executive order restraint
Issued 78+ executive orders during COVID emergency. Extended state of civil emergency 13 times over 14 months (Mar 2020 - Jun 2021). Restricted gatherings to 10 people, imposed mask mandates, business curfews, quarantine rules for out-of-state visitors, stay-at-home order (Apr 2020). Also signed EO creating Office of New Americans and repealing LePage immigration cooperation order. Heavy EO usage.
ME EO database; National Law Review; Ballotpedia COVID response; News Center Maine
-1
Emergency powers -- statutory limits
COVID emergency extended 13 times over 14 months. Differential treatment: churches capped at 50 while unlimited secular gatherings at same facilities. Stay-at-home order. Business curfews. Out-of-state quarantine. Republicans pushed to limit emergency powers to 30 days -- Mills opposed. Powers were within statutory framework but extended well beyond initial crisis period. Churches litigated to SCOTUS.
ME emergency statutes; Calvary Chapel v. Mills; News Center Maine; National Law Review
-1
Legislative cooperation -- veto override rate
41+ vetoes with zero overrides -- strong legislative management. Works with closely divided legislature. Some bipartisan cooperation (defense industry, budgets). But vetoed bipartisan tribal sovereignty bill twice, drawing cross-party criticism.
ME Legislature records; Maine Public
+1
Judicial appointments
11+ judicial appointments across 2 terms. Standard merit-based process. No documented patronage or unqualified appointments. No appointee controversies or ethics issues.
ME judicial system; Press Herald Dec 2019
+1
Timely execution of laws
Mills has generally implemented enacted legislation within timelines. Medicaid expansion implemented promptly (first official act). Paid family leave implementing on schedule (premiums Jan 2025, benefits May 2026). Standard execution.
ME agencies; legislative oversight
+1
Federal fund utilization
Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan deployed ~$1B in ARPA funds. ConnectMaine broadband $129M ARPA deployment. IIJA $1.3B delivery. Good federal fund management for small state. Must spend remaining ARPA by end of 2026.
USAspending.gov; ME ARPA reporting; maine.gov/jobsplan
+1
Public approval as competence indicator
Approval declining sharply in second term. Morning Consult ranked Mills 6th most unpopular governor (Apr 2024), then LEAST POPULAR Democratic governor nationally (Apr-Jun 2025, +2 net approval). UNH/Granite State Poll (Apr 2025): Mainers 'divided.' Declined from 53-60% to borderline positive despite winning reelection with 55.69% in 2022.
Morning Consult Q2 2025; UNH Survey Center Apr 2025; NPR Nov 2022
-1
State IT security and data protection
ME has cybersecurity program. OIT Director won 2024 StateScoop 50 Award. Cloud Center of Excellence established. No major state data breaches documented during tenure. Standard framework for small state.
NASCIO; ME OIT; StateScoop 2024
+1
Infrastructure spending -- capital budget execution
MaineDOT $4.74B 3-year plan executing. 302 bridge projects at $706M. ConnectMaine broadband expansion ($129M ARPA + $15M bond). NECEC 145-mile transmission corridor operational Jan 2026. IIJA funds deploying. Infrastructure investment clearly improving.
ASCE ME; MaineDOT; ConnectMaine; WBUR Jan 2026
+1
Disaster fund readiness
Rainy day fund at $1.03B provides excellent disaster reserves for 1.4M-population state. Three FEMA disaster declarations secured in 2024. FEMA cost-share met. Post-Lewiston response adequately funded. Strong readiness.
FEMA; ME emergency management; ME Treasurer
+2
Workforce development -- UI system integrity
ME UI system healthy. Trust fund solvent (AHCM 1.80, above 1.0 threshold). Employer tax at Schedule A (lowest level) since 2022. Unemployment 3.2% (Dec 2025), below national 4.4%. Below 4% for 48 consecutive months. Defense Industry Alliance targeting 7,500+ positions. Aging workforce (median age 44.8) creates structural challenge.
DOL UI data; ME DOL; BLS; Collins/King press release
+1
Medicaid program integrity
MaineCare expansion enrolled 90K+ and 230K+ total covered. But $118M Medicaid funding gap in FY2026-27. Provider reimbursement rates frozen. FY2024 audit found eligibility determination deficiencies. Budget pressures threatening program sustainability.
CMS; ME DHHS; ME State Auditor FY2024
0
Election administration
No voter ID requirement. No documentary proof of citizenship for registration. Same-day registration with attestation only. Mills ACTIVELY OPPOSED voter ID ballot initiative (Question 1, 2025). One of 16 states with no photo ID requirement. Voters rejected voter ID proposal but Mills' advocacy against election security measures is a direct action. Ranked-choice voting adds complexity.
ME SOS; EAC EAVS; PBS Nov 2025; Ballotpedia Question 1 2025
-1
Transparency -- budget accessibility
ME budget documents publicly available online. 18 consecutive GFOA awards. Clean Elections Act provides campaign finance transparency. Some gaps (DAFS withholding) but budget accessibility adequate.
ME Bureau of the Budget; GFOA
+1
Intergovernmental cooperation
SYSTEMATIC OBSTRUCTION of federal enforcement. Signed 287(g) ban. Allowed LD 1971 sanctuary law. Repealed LePage cooperation EO. Created Office of New Americans. Clashed with Trump admin on transgender athlete policy (threatened federal funding). General Assistance spending tripled for asylum seekers. Cooperative only on funding (IIJA, ARPA) while obstructing enforcement (immigration, education mandates).
ME 287(g) ban; LD 1971; Office of New Americans; federal compliance records
-2
Gubernatorial succession and continuity
ME does not have a lieutenant governor. Succession falls to Senate President. COOP plan exists but no dedicated LG creates gap. Standard for ME's constitutional structure. Not a Mills action item.
ME Constitution; FEMA COOP
0
Anti-corruption -- procurement integrity
No corruption allegations personally. But FY2024 audit found material weakness in procurement internal controls over $2.1B in spending. 51 of 76 audit findings repeated from prior years. DAFS deputy admitted withholding procurement documents from lawmakers. Clean personal record but systemic procurement oversight failures.
ME procurement; ME State Auditor FY2024; Maine Wire Jan 2025
0
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
Maine gas tax 31.4 cents/gallon, slightly above average. No significant changes.
Maine Revenue Services
0
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
Maine experienced LARGEST year-over-year residential electricity price increase in nation: 36.3% jump between May 2024-2025.
Maine Wire; Maine Policy Institute; Third Way
-2
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
Aggressive clean energy mandates while electricity costs surge to highest increase nationally. Infrastructure readiness questioned.
Maine Policy Institute; Maine Wire
-1
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
Maine effective property tax rate 0.91-0.94%, roughly near national median.
SmartAsset; Tax Foundation
0
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
No notable increase or decrease in regulatory burden.
maine.gov
0
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
No significant new unfunded mandates on municipalities.
Maine governance
0
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
Proposed $300 relief checks to 725,000 Mainers. But energy costs surging (36% increase) and taxes remain high.
maine.gov; Maine Wire
0
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
Rewrote General Assistance to include asylum seekers. GA costs jumped from $13M to $43M. Signed law barring local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Maine Public; Maine Wire
-2
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
Invested $55M+ in housing programs but significant portion went to asylum seekers rather than existing homeless. Outcomes mixed.
Maine Public; Maine Wire
0
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
Called on Trump to rescind directive criminalizing homelessness. Opposed enforcement approach post-Grants Pass.
maine.gov; News Center Maine
-1
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
Relatively stable population. Not a major outmigration state.
Maine demographic data
0
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
No notable business exodus. Also no major business attraction beyond workforce development.
Maine economic data
0
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
Mills is a former AG. No notable action on prosecutor accountability.
Maine governance
0
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
Actively campaigned against voter ID referendum (Question 1). Opposed absentee ballot security changes.
Central Maine; PBS
-2
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
No significant evidence of weaponizing state agencies.
Maine political coverage
0
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
No notable action on foreign adversary protections.
Maine policy records
0
Constitutional Rights
Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: -9
Range: -87 to 87
Items: 29
Second Amendment -- right to carry status
Maine retains constitutional carry (permitless carry enacted 2015 under LePage). Mills has not repealed. However, post-Lewiston legislation (72-hour waiting period, expanded background checks, ghost gun regulation) erodes practical 2A exercise. Carry framework intact but acquisition rights restricted.
ME Title 25 Sec. 2001-A; post-Lewiston legislation 2024
+1
Semi-automatic rifle restrictions
No semi-auto rifle ban in Maine. Post-Lewiston: 72-hour waiting period applies to ALL firearms including semi-autos. Background checks expanded to all advertised private sales. Ghost gun regulation signed (Dec 2025). No ban but growing restriction framework. Mills vetoed bump stock ban.
ME statutes; post-Lewiston legislation; Maine Public Dec 2025
0
Magazine capacity restrictions
No magazine capacity restrictions in Maine. Post-Lewiston legislation did not include magazine bans despite advocacy pressure. Credit to Mills for not going further.
ME statutes; Giffords ME
+2
Red Flag / ERPO due process
Mills expanded yellow flag law post-Lewiston to make it EASIER for law enforcement to initiate confiscation process -- lowered threshold for protective custody warrants. Original yellow flag required law enforcement petition + medical evaluation. Expansion weakened due process protections for gun owners while maintaining medical step. Direction is toward easier confiscation.
ME yellow flag law; post-Lewiston amendments 2024; Maine Public Apr 2024
-1
Campus free speech protections
Maine has no specific campus free speech statute. University of Maine System generally respects free expression. No major incidents. No action taken.
FIRE rankings; ME legislature
0
Anti-SLAPP protections
Maine has anti-SLAPP statute (ME Title 14 Sec. 556). Provides moderate protection for speech against frivolous lawsuits. Pre-dates Mills but maintained.
ME Title 14 Sec. 556; Public Participation Project
+1
Religious liberty protections
No state RFRA. COVID-era: churches capped at 50 people for religious services while unlimited secular gatherings allowed for social services at same churches -- discriminatory treatment. Calvary Chapel sued Mills; case went to SCOTUS (denied). LD 798 (2019) eliminated religious exemptions for vaccinations. Religious liberty restricted under Mills.
Calvary Chapel v. Mills; Liberty Counsel; LD 798 (2019); ME statutes
-1
Fourth Amendment -- digital surveillance warrant requirements
ME relies primarily on federal Carpenter standard. No comprehensive state electronic privacy statute. Standard framework. No action taken.
EFF; ME statutes
0
Civil asset forfeiture reform
Maine has forfeiture reform -- requires conviction for most forfeitures. Among better states on forfeiture protections. Pre-dates Mills but maintained.
IJ Policing for Profit; ME statutes
+1
Eminent domain protections post-Kelo
Mills signed major eminent domain reform (2024) -- biggest change in 50 years. Requires utility companies to pay legal/expert fees for land takings, mandates community meetings before transmission line permitting, requires BEP public hearings. Strengthened property owner protections. But vetoed tribal eminent domain bill.
ME eminent domain reform 2024; Press Herald Apr 2024; Maine Wire Jun 2025
+1
Due process -- regulatory takings and permitting
ME permitting process moderate. Environmental permitting for energy projects (NECEC corridor, offshore wind) creates delays. 100% clean energy mandate by 2040 adds regulatory layer. Average regulatory environment overall.
ME regulatory agencies; LD 1868
0
Tenth Amendment -- federal overreach resistance
Mills actively obstructs federal enforcement rather than resisting overreach. Signed 287(g) ban prohibiting local law enforcement from ICE partnerships. Allowed LD 1971 sanctuary law to become law. Repealed LePage executive order on immigration cooperation. Created Office of New Americans. Clashed with Trump admin on transgender athlete policy. Selective: cooperates on funding, obstructs on enforcement.
ME 287(g) ban; LD 1971; Office of New Americans EO; federal compliance records
-2
Equal Protection -- state contracting nondiscrimination
ME in process of evaluating SFFA compliance. Standard transition to race-neutral standards. No major controversies documented.
ME procurement; SFFA compliance
0
State preemption of local firearms laws
Maine has state preemption of most local firearms laws. Generally effective. No major local jurisdiction conflicts. Pre-dates Mills but maintained.
ME statutes; NRA-ILA
+1
FOIA compliance
POOR. National FOIA Coalition gave Maine one of lowest transparency grades (F, only 11 states worse). 300+ statutory exceptions to FOAA. DAFS deputy admitted withholding documents from lawmakers (Jan 2025). Heritage Foundation sued over FOAA non-compliance (May 2025). Mills sued for failing to release travel schedules (Jul 2024). Maine Policy Institute says response times 'never been as poor.'
National FOIA Coalition 2019; Maine Policy Institute; Heritage Foundation lawsuit May 2025; Central Maine Jul 2024
-1
Public defender funding adequacy
ME public defender system has standard funding challenges. Caseloads above recommended levels. Not critically underfunded but not model. Commission on Indigent Legal Services operates.
Sixth Amendment Center; ME Commission on Indigent Legal Services
0
Bail reform and pretrial detention
Maine has bail reform provisions. Pretrial system generally balanced between safety and liberty. Not extreme in either direction. No major reforms under Mills.
Pretrial Justice Institute; ME courts
+1
Property rights -- regulatory burden
HEAVY BURDEN. Maine ranks 34th overall in business tax climate (Tax Foundation). Property tax among worst nationally (41st). 1% payroll tax for paid family leave (Jan 2025). Tax increases signed: cigarettes $2 to $3/pack, cannabis 10% to 14%, new pharmacy tax, streaming tax, pension taxation. Minimum wage indexed to CPI ($15.10 in 2026). 100% clean energy mandate by 2040. Maine Chamber of Commerce sued over paid family leave rules (Jan 2025).
Tax Foundation State Tax Competitiveness Index; Maine Policy Institute; ME Chamber lawsuit; LD 1868; LD 1964
-2
Governor's litigation posture on firearms
Signed/allowed four gun control measures post-Lewiston: (1) background check expansion for private sales (felony for illegal transfers), (2) yellow flag expansion (easier confiscation), (3) 72-hour waiting period (allowed without signature), (4) ghost gun regulation (Dec 2025, allowed without signature). AG posture shifted toward restriction. Pattern shows consistent anti-2A direction despite vetoing bump stock ban.
ME AG; post-Lewiston legislation; NRA-ILA; Everytown; Maine Public Dec 2025
-2
Compelled speech protections
Compelled speech concerns in education and professional licensing around gender identity. Transgender athlete policy clash with Trump administration. State mandates on pronoun/identity compliance in schools under MHRC guidelines. No religious or conscience exemptions.
ME statutes; FIRE; MHRC guidelines
-1
Commerce Clause -- interstate trade barriers
Maine has average interstate commerce environment. Some protectionist lobster industry regulations but generally reasonable. NECEC corridor brings interstate energy (Hydro-Quebec to New England).
IJ; ME commerce data
0
Occupational licensing reform
ME has average licensing burden. Some military spouse licensing expedited. No comprehensive reform under Mills.
IJ License to Work; ME licensing
0
Contract Clause -- pension obligations
ME pension system at 86.3% funded (Jun 2024). State Employee & Teacher plan at 148.5% funded. Making ARC payments. Fitch upgrade to AA+ reflects pension management. Low long-term liability burden shrinking over time.
MainePERS 2024 Actuarial Valuation; Fitch Aug 2025
+1
Jury trial rights
Maine maintains standard jury access. Small state population aids court access. No documented jury access concerns.
ME court annual reports
+1
Immigration law compliance -- Supremacy Clause
FAILING. Allowed LD 1971 to become law (Dec 2025) -- sanctuary state law barring law enforcement from immigration detainers/stops. Signed 287(g) ban prohibiting ICE partnerships. Repealed LePage executive order on immigration cooperation. Created Office of New Americans with goal of 75,000 foreign-born workers by 2029. Rewrote General Assistance eligibility to include asylum seekers (GA spending tripled $13M to $43M, 2019-2023). $34M of $55M Emergency Housing Relief Fund spent on asylum seekers. MaineCare covers undocumented children. No E-Verify mandate. State-funded immigration legal services. Full sanctuary framework obstructing federal enforcement.
ME LD 1971 (Dec 2025); 287(g) ban; Office of New Americans EO; 8 USC 1373; Maine Wire; Press Herald
-3
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
No direct action on qualified immunity.
Maine legal framework
0
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
Actively urged voters to reject Question 1 (voter ID requirement). Called voter ID an 'attack on the right to vote.'
Central Maine; PBS
-2
Non-citizen voting prevention
Opposed voter ID measures that would help verify citizenship. Created Office of New Mainers to help immigrants integrate.
PBS; Central Maine
-1
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
Most combative governor on transgender athlete issue. Confronted Trump directly at White House. Refused compliance with Title IX biological sex protections.
NPR; K-12 Dive; Bangor Daily News
-3