Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 JA N UA R Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 9 Pierce Atwood partner Christopher Howard had a similar observation, saying it's his sense the new administration and new Legislature will be well-intended while noting that businesses also have a role to play, adding: "ey have to really participate in the process in order to get their needs identified." As Mills and her team get down to business, here are five policy areas — not a comprehensive list — that companies big and small should pay attention to. 1. Health care: Expanded access, but at what cost? Mills used her first day in office to sign an order directing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to quickly expand Medicaid to an additional 70,000 Mainers — in line with a November 2017 referen- dum vote result long stalled by her predecessor. She also promises to sus- tainably pay for Medicaid expansion, ensure that everyone has primary care, rein in insurance and prescription drug costs and tackle the opioid epi- demic. Experts will be watching the cost aspect closely and what it means for employers and individuals. "We've been stuck talking about access, but the $64,000 question is how we are going to bring costs down?" says Mitchell Stein, a Brunswick- based consultant. 2. Clean energy and climate change Tackling climate change and securing a clean-energy future with well-paying jobs are a key policy area for Mills, whose long list of goals includes incen- tives for solar and measures to support offshore wind development, diversifying the forest economy and working with business to try to lower energy costs. Portland's premier furnished short and long term rentals 2 2 5 C U M B E R L A N D A V E . , P O R T L A N D 2 0 7 . 7 7 4 . 5 3 5 8 P O R T L A N D M A I N E R E N TA L S .C O M CITY OF BANGOR To hear more, please reach out to us. You'll like what we have to say! comm.dev@bangormaine.gov 207.992.4280 www.bangormaine.gov Every year the Bangor region's colleges and universities graduate over 3,000 potential employees for YOUR business. If workforce development is a challenge & priority for your organization, come see what the Bangor region can provide you and your workforce — a great quality of life, incredible parks, arts and culture, and affordable real estate make Bangor a great place to locate your business. What do the number 3,000 and the Bangor region have in common? Who's who in the new state administration B Y m a i n e b i z s t a f f G iven all the new faces with the changing of the gubernatorial guard, we've put together a guide to Gov. Janet Mills's incoming administration, notable for the high proportion of women. As of press time, nominees are pending confirmation. Gov. Janet Mills Mills, 71, was born and raised in Farm - ington, the grand- daughter of Aroos- took County potato f a r m e r s a n d t h e daughter of a high-school English teacher. She graduated from Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, the University of Massachusetts at Boston and the University of Maine School of Law. She first entered public ser- vice as an assistant attorney general, where she prosecuted homicides and other major crimes. She has served as Maine's attorney general for the past five years, the first and only woman to hold that job. IN HER WORDS: "We are one Maine, undivided, one family from Calais to Bethel, from York to Fort Kent." Heather Johnson, Economic and Community Development The 48-year-old grew up in the Somerset C o u n t y s e a t o f Skowhegan. She led the ConnectME Authority, the state agency tasked with bringing broadband to all Maine house- holds and businesses, and also served as executive director of the Somerset County Economic and Development Corp. Her resume includes positions at Gateway, Polaroid and Nokia. In her new role she will oversee more than two dozen experts across several bureaus. IN HER WORDS: Excited "by the great potential we have to find sustainable growth strategies for all parts of Maine." W W W . M A I N E . G O V / D E C D W H O ' S W H O C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » We've been stuck talking about access, but the $64,000 question is, 'How are we going to bring costs down?' — Mitchell Stein Brunswick consultant

• Cover