Privacy concerns kept many Mainers from getting the enhanced identification, raising the possibility of travel disruptions and airport delays if the mandate is strictly enforced.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine bill would make oil companies pay into ‘climate superfund’
Similar climate superfunds in Vermont and New York, which impose fees on fossil fuel extractors and crude oiler refiners for greenhouse emissions, are being challenged in court by the Trump administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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Posted inNews, Politics
Maine voter ID proposal runs into strong opposition at public hearing
At a public hearing Friday, critics highlighted a range of proposed changes likely to go before voters in November, including restrictions on absentee voting.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation / World
Maine seeks delayed enforcement of Real ID as deadline approaches
But a spokesman says the TSA plans to enforce the law beginning Wednesday despite the request from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and other Maine officials over concerns about travel disruptions and airport delays.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine banned transgender discrimination 20 years ago. Few noticed — until now.
Dozens of trans students have competed in high school sports in Maine since 2013, but such participation has suddenly become a flashpoint in a high-stake political and legal battle with the Trump administration.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Timeline: Gender identity in Maine’s Human Rights Act
The state antidiscrimination law has a 20-year history that long predates a nationwide debate over transgender athletes in sports.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Justice Dept. announces lawsuit against Maine over trans athletes
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday that Maine’s refusal to ban transgender athletes from girls sports violates federal antidiscrimination law, while Gov. Janet Mills said the state is fighting to uphold state and federal laws.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Angus King, Chellie Pingree denounce Trump for defying US Supreme Court order
A spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins said she supports efforts to deport terrorists and other criminals while urging all officials to obey court orders.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Janet Mills blasts President Donald Trump on national TV
The Maine governor went on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ to talk about the state’s legal battles with the Trump administration.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Laurel Libby parlays transgender censure into campaign cash
The Republican state representative from Auburn was already the Legislature’s biggest fundraiser and got a big boost after getting in hot water over a social media post.