The Democrats also pointed to a new law that prohibits attempts to cause emotional distress or fear if motivated by race, sexual orientation or other factors.
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
Maine addiction recovery advocates notch legislative wins, eye future battles
Advocates secured additional funding for treatment beds and expanded access to naloxone last session. Another bill to create safe consumption sites failed, but the state will study the idea in the coming year.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature makes history despite tensions between, and within, parties
Major new laws were passed, bringing Mainers paid family and medical leave and expanded access to abortion.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine state flag referendum will wait until next year
A spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills said she will allow a bill calling for a referendum on the state flag to take effect without her signature, effectively delaying the statewide vote until November 2024.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
State corrections official charged with theft, bribery
Gerald E. Merrill, a deputy superintendent with the Maine Department of Corrections, was arrested Tuesday and accused of operating a kickback scheme for nearly a decade.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Advocates look to fall referendum to ban foreign campaign spending
The Legislature failed to muster the votes to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of the measure, setting the stage for a statewide vote in November.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Biden to focus on economy, manufacturing in visit to Maine on Friday
The president’s stop is part of a national push touting ‘Bidenomics,’ which supporters say is an attempt to grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, rather than the top down.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Millions of dollars in foreign campaign funds pour into Maine as lawmakers push to ban them
Lawmakers say they will try to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of the foreign spending ban, but it won’t prevent foreign-owned companies from pouring money into Maine politics this fall.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine delegation gets backing of U.S. Chamber in push to speed work permits for asylum seekers
Both Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and Republican Sen. Susan Collins have introduced similar bills in their respective chambers to shorten wait periods for asylum seekers who want to work.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
White House salutes child care investments by Maine and other states
Senate President Troy Jackson attended an event at the White House on Wednesday to celebrate state efforts to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care as a means of lifting families out of poverty and strengthening local economies.