PORTLAND, Maine - Maine Gov. Janet Mills says she asked two key advisory committees on economic forecasting and state revenues to meet earlier than normal as her administration plans for what's expected to be a major budget crisis. Many essential services funded by state government face funding gaps because the coronavirus pandemic has left businesses closed and tens of thousands of Mainers out of work.
The Consensus Economic Forecasting Committee will be asked to meet in July, while the Legislature's Revenue Forecasting Committee will meet in August.
Both meetings are three months ahead of the normal schedule. Mills has also instructed all state departments to freeze non-emergency spending and hiring.