Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Announces “New Deal for Maine”

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today announced “A New Deal for Maine,” a series of bold economic plans to lower costs for Mainers. The New Deal for Maine is inspired by Frances Perkins’ “practical possibilities” that became FDRs New Deal and ushered in the period of the greatest prosperity in U.S. history. The New Deal for Maine’s Economy is here. 

“Our rights are under attack, our institutions are failing, and too many Mainers are just one emergency away from disaster,” said Shenna Bellows. “That’s why I’m proposing A New Deal for Maine. The next governor needs to recognize affordability for what it is – a crisis –  and we need to do everything in our power to bring down the cost of living. We can make Maine more affordable by cutting utility costs, building more housing that is truly affordable, reining in property taxes, and bringing in more high paying jobs.” 

“What matters to me is that we have a Governor who believes in small business; in giving people an education for well-paying jobs; who will fight to keep electric bills and rents and property taxes affordable. And who is tough enough to call for a tax increase on the well-off to make it happen,” said Frank O’Hara, Chair MaineHousing Board. “Those are Shenna’s values, and they are reflected in her program.”“I’m incredibly encouraged to hear Shenna’s plans for common-sense policy changes for the people of this state,” Chena Immel, South Portland. “The cost of living in recent years has made life increasingly difficult for me and so many in my community. My electric bill has doubled since last year, my property taxes have increased dramatically in the past few years, and as a single homeowner, I bear the full brunt of those bills.”  

Shenna will  roll out additional components of a New Deal for Maine in the coming months.