Is Governor Mills Really Sending $300 Checks to Maine Residents?

Since 2020, we have seen an interesting trend here in the United States: the occasional release of stimulus/relief checks.

Over the last few years, we have seen the federal and state government occasionally sending out checks that range from several hundred dollars to over $1,000.  The first of these were sent out by the federal government as a way to stimulate the economy during the pandemic.  Later, some state governors, including Maine's Governor Mills, sent out checks because the state had an excess of money in the budget.  And, in the fall of 2025, President Trump expressed an interest in sending out money that was obtained through tariffs.

Now, Governor Mills is talking about sending out additional checks to Mainers.

According to an article on the WGME website, Governor Janet Mills rolled out her supplemental budget plan on Wednesday, and it includes more details about her idea to send $300 relief checks to about 725,000 Mainers.

She first teased the plan during last week’s State of the State address, saying the money would come from the budget stabilization fund, better known as the state’s “rainy day fund.”

Given that Maine is seeing a shortage in the number of affordable homes, it should not be a surprise that Governor Mills also wants to spend some of that fund to fund the construction of over 800 new homes.

Some people have an issue with the governor using the budget stabilization fund for such programs.  Maine republicans quote the rule as saying that: "Amounts in the stabilization fund may be expended only to offset a general fund revenue shortfall"

They point to the fact that, right now, there is now shortfall.

On a personal note, I always get concerned when I see the government handing out money.  Don't get me wrong, I would love to have an extra chunk of money tossed my way, but it feels like we are slowly moving in the direction of a "basic universal income".  While I do not disagree with some people get needed financial help, I don't think moving in the direction of everyone getting a basic income as a good idea.

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