AUGUSTA, Maine — Teased in her State of the State address, lawmakers are reacting to Maine Gov. Janet Mills' proposed supplemental budget released Wednesday.
This year's budget outlines major investments for the state's forefront issues, such as the need for mental health resources, public safety expansions, and funds to rebuild torn-down coastal communities.
"Every single one of us in this building has been hearing from our constituents on what they want to see," House Majority Leader Rep. Mo Terry said. "We will hopefully put together a suite of bills that will share the concerns that our constituents have."
A major portion of the budget comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Lewiston, with a proposed one-time payment of more than $900,000 to go toward creating a crisis receiving center in the city.
In a statement on the budget, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lewiston native Rep. Kristen Cloutier said the new center would "ensure a continuum of care for victims and their families, who will be struggling with the healing process from this traumatic event well into the future."
In a separate statement for NEWS CENTER Maine, Lewiston Rep. Margaret Craven said she is "especially grateful with the initiative," and that "there is a president for this model, because there has been a program operating in Portland for the past two years, that has proven successful."
Another million dollars will go toward establishing an injury and prevention program within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
As most of the state saw record-breaking weather events, more than 20 million dollars combined in separate initiatives proposed will help fund rebuilding efforts in coastal towns, shorelines, state parks, historical sites, and more.
Representing a portion of the midcoast, Rep. Allison Hepler said the funding will hopefully be able to quickly aid hundreds affected.
"It's been horrible to see these things; to see these wharfs that have been there for a hundred, fifty years and just washed away," Hepler said. "The governor's portion of the budget, which is actually going to be a stand-alone bill--it's not going to be a portion of the budget--means that it will [have the potential to pass] faster."
Additional measures to increase public safety are also outlined, with more than $10 million combined to promote both the Safe Homes gun storage program, hire more state troopers, and cover the physical and medical expenses many are facing in the ripple of the Lewiston mass shooting.