Yesterday, Governor Mills unveiled new legislation to protect Maine ratepayers, improve the operation and service of Maine’s electric utilities, and increase oversight and accountability of them. The bipartisan bill has the support of both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature, as well as Maine’s Public Advocate, and a swath of environmental organizations – but it was immediately opposed by Paul LePage whose spokesperson called it “more bureaucracy.”

While Governor Mills is working with Democrats and Republicans to crack down on Maine’s utilities and improve service for Maine people, Paul LePage appears content with the status quo – all after being paid to lobby on behalf of one the utilities that the bill would hold accountable.

“Governor Mills sees problems impacting Maine people, and she fights to fix them. Paul LePage, on the other hand, just fights with other people,” said Drew Gattine, Chair of the Maine Democratic Party. “LePage may think the status quo is just fine, but Governor Mills, like Maine people, knows it’s not – and I am glad to see her fighting for them where Paul LePage isn’t willing to.”

This new bill is just the latest action taken by Governor Mills on behalf of Maine consumers. Since taking office in 2019, Governor Mills has worked with Democrats in the legislature to:

  • Ban internet providers from selling consumer data without their consent.

  • Protect vulnerable Mainers from financial exploitation.

  • Crack down on predatory lending practices.

In contrast, LePage repeatedly sided against Maine consumers, often on behalf of profiteering corporations. During his time in the Blaine House he:

  • Vetoed bills to protect Maine ratepayers from electricity rate hikes and Maine homeowners from defects in the title process, and proposed rolling back regulations aimed at protecting Maine children from toys filled with toxic chemicals.

  • Outsourced the writing of his proposals to roll back consumer and environmental protection regulations to corporate lobbyists on everything from toxic waste recycling to banning hazardous substances.

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