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In Maine, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills sought to boost vaccinations and the state’s brand at the same time by offering fishing and hunting licenses, tickets to local sports games and gift cards to L.L. Bean, the state’s flagship store. North Carolina offered $25 “summer cash cards” to people who got their first dose, as well as people who drove them there.

But even those efforts appear to be stalling out, and governors may need to up the ante as time goes by.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested the federal government could pay for a $100 tax credit for anyone who can prove they are vaccinated.

“The higher we get up the hill, the steeper the going,” Cuomo told the White House.

ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett and Brian Hartman contributed to this report.

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