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I appreciate the Bangor Daily News editorial, “Janet Mills set an optimistic tone, but the state of the state is…concerned” reflecting on Gov. Mills’ State of the State address on Feb.10. Regardless of the optimistic undertone to the address, the governor’s priorities leave me concerned. The editorial emphasized Mills’ relative lack of recognition for the overall state of the economy, especially inflation. As a Mainer and member of generation Z, I feel disheartened about Mills’ focus on the economy as it is strongly connected to poverty in Maine. The future of the state of Maine is its youth.
The State of the State address not only relays the current status of Maine, but significantly pertains to the future of our state. The tone of the State of State address felt overshadowed by COVID-19 and persistence about vaccines. There is no denying the dire attention needed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic where Mills has shown leadership pioneering our state through the pandemic. However, the equal delegation of affairs is imperative.
As concluded in the editorial, “Maine has many challenges ahead. Facing and overcoming those challenges will take all of us working together as we build on Maine’s assets and accomplishments.” The reflection of addressing all of these immediate challenges was not visible in the State of State address. The future of the state of Maine is held with the youth.
Bhavana Scalia-Bruce
Portland