AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s newly confirmed Finance Commissioner Sawin Millett was hospitalized Thursday after suffering a knee injury.

Millett, a Waterford resident, was sent to the emergency room following a flare-up of a chronic knee condition, according to Dan Demeritt, LePage’s director of communications. He said the incident happened at Millett’s home.

Demeritt said Millett, 73, has a history of knee problems, but that he expected Millett would still be able to perform most of his duties, the most significant of which is helping the governor put together a budget. 

Although Millett is expected to continue as LePage’s finance commissioner, the governor has brought in help. Ryan Low, who was Gov. John Baldacci’s finance chief, is taking a break from his job as an interim administrator at the University of Maine at Farmington to help LePage’s administration in Millett’s absence.

“To the extent Sawin can be here during his recovery, Ryan (Low) will act as another experienced set of eyes on the budget,” Demeritt said.

The state Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed Millett as the state’s finance commissioner, marking the second time Millett has held the post. He served as the finance commissioner for five years during Republican Gov. John McKernan’s two terms, from 1987 to 1995.

His latest confirmation received wide praise from both parties. Democrats often credit him for helping them pass bipartisan budgets during the Baldacci administration.

smistler@sunjournal.com