Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democratic candidate for governor, unveiled an economic plan on Monday that seeks to reduce utility and housing costs while driving down property taxes.

“For far too many Mainers, the cost of a middle-class life is getting further and further out of reach,” she said during a Portland news conference. “Our economy is rigged, crushing working people and making it harder for middle-class folks to get ahead.”

Her plan, which she calls a New Deal for Maine, proposes to cap the rate of return for utility companies at 6% and calls for the installation of solar panels on the homes of those who receive heating fuel assistance.

The plan proposes to expand a housing fund to support construction and rehabilitation and boost investment in an existing first-time homebuyer program.

In addition, she is proposing to freeze local property taxes for Maine residents while doubling property taxes on homes owned by out-of- staters.

Bellows, a former state lawmaker, said she knows that this proposal has faced pushback in the past, with concerns that it may not be allowed under the Maine Constitution.

But she said other states have successfully implemented similar programs.

“I challenge us as a state to move forward,” she said. “If it’s ruled unconstitutional, then we bring forward a constitutional amendment.”

Also on Monday, Dr. Nirav Shah, former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director, released his affordability plan. He too is proposing additional help for first-time homebuyers and increasing the housing supply.

According to his campaign, Shah wants to expand child care affordability through public-private partnerships, make free community college permanent and institute a targeted millionaire’s tax.

“Maine is facing an affordability crisis, and our state has not delivered enough relief for working families,” Shah said in a statement. “For too long, families have been told to be patient while costs continue to rise.”

Bellows too supports a millionaire’s tax, according to her plan.

Bellows and Shah are two of the Democrats vying for the June Democratic nomination for governor. Others are former Senate President Troy Jackson, former House Speaker Hannah Pingree, businessman Angus King III and former FBI agent Jason Cherry.

On the Republican side, former Naval Intelligence Officer and attorney Bobby Charles, former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason, real estate developer David Jones of Falmouth, health care tech executive Jonathan Bush, state Sen. Jim Libby, businessman Owen McCarthy, former Planet Fitness CEO Ben Midgley and Robert Wessels of Paris have all indicated they will run.

Once the parties choose their nominees in June, they will appear on the November ballot and likely face independent candidates. Sen. Rick Bennett, Rep. Ed Crockett and retired state worker John Glowa have all said they are running.

Bellows said if Maine can find ways to keep and attract young talent, the state is poised for a strong future.

“Maine can and should be an economic powerhouse,” she said. “We need a laser focus on business development and job creation.”