Placeholder bills buy time to finalize details of legislation, but some significant and controversial proposals are only revealed at the last minute.
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 inElections, Local & State, Politics
Effort to elect presidents using popular vote gains ground in Maine
The Maine Senate votes in support of a multistate plan to sidestep the Electoral College by pledging to support presidential candidates who win the national popular vote.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers take up gun bills, focus on waiting periods, background checks
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee holds a work session on a series of bills that include a proposal from Gov. Janet Mills to expand background checks and update the state’s yellow flag law.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Maine may tax Netflix and other streaming subscriptions
A $20 a month subscription fee would have $1.10 in tax added to it. Half of U.S. states are already applying a similar tax on subscriptions to Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
Posted inLocal & State
Threats, evacuations lead to calls for more security at Maine Capitol
Lawmakers are proposing a new security screening center and additional staff amid growing concerns about political violence.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine expects another $108 million in surplus revenues
The new revenue forecast brings the projected surplus to nearly $373 million over the next 2 years and is likely to increase pressure on lawmakers to make more investments to help struggling Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Physicians, gun owners, activists pack Maine State House for hearing on gun reform
Dozens of people testified for and against a pair of bills that include expanding background check requirements to advertised private firearms sales and a 72-hour waiting period on purchases.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
House backs bill to pledge Maine’s electoral votes to national popular winner
The bill would have Maine join a compact with other states to allocate Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote for president, even if its contrary to the wishes of local voters.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Democrats launch push to pass gun safety bills in response to Lewiston shooting
Public hearings begin on gun safety bills that would ban bump stocks, institute a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases and expand background checks to advertised private sales.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Mental health funding bill draws broad support at Maine State House
Nobody testified against House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross’ proposal to invest at least $17.5 million in mental health crisis services.