AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills is set to deliver her 2024 State of the State Address Tuesday night. However, she'll be taking a different approach than usual.
The governor announced that rather than deliver a single address spanning a variety of topics, she will deliver a two-part State of the State Address. She released a written portion Tuesday morning and plans to deliver her spoken remarks at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
RELATED: In written portion, Gov. Mills announces actions on education, opioid epidemic, and child welfare
The written part will focus on Maine’s long-term strengths, opportunities for growth, and longstanding challenges, the governor's office said in a release.
"It will address Maine’s budget outlook and feature proposed policy initiatives from the Governor – many through her forthcoming supplemental budget proposal – to address Maine’s ongoing challenges, such as the lack of affordable housing, the need to improve child safety, and the need to continue tackling the opioid epidemic," the release stated.
The second part, to be delivered before a joint session of the Legislature, will focus on the immediate crises Maine has faced, including the tragedy in Lewiston and the impacts of three recent severe storms. Mills plans to talk about strengthening Maine’s resilience to future extreme weather events, according to the release.
"This past year – especially these past few months – has been anything but normal for Maine. It has been a period of extraordinary challenge for our state. Traditionally, as Chief Executive, I have stood before the Legislature to address a series of high-profile issues, challenges, and opportunities, but these unique times call for a unique approach," Mills said in the release. "I look forward to delivering this year’s address in a novel way and working with the Legislature to address Maine’s challenges."