After a report suggests the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, Gov. Janet Mills says she will fight to protect reproductive rights while former Gov. Paul LePage emphasizes his support of abortion restrictions.
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 inMaine, Politics
Taxpayer relief, tribal relations, child protection and free tuition: What mattered in the 2022 session
Lawmakers found themselves in an unusual position this year – having to decide what to do with a projected surplus of $1.2 billion.
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Posted inMaine, News
Gov. Mills issues first two vetoes from 2022 legislative session
One bill would have changed the governance structure of the University of Maine system, and the other dealt with transmission lines that didn’t directly benefit state residents.
Posted inMaine, News
Legislators approve compromise bill for Good Samaritan expansion
Gov. Janet Mills is expected to sign the bill, which would extend protections to anyone ‘rendering aid’ to an overdose victim.
Posted inMaine, News
Gov. Mills’ opposition halts tribal sovereignty bill
The Legislature adjourns without funding the legislation, though it’s possible leadership could call another session before lawmakers reconvene May 9 to take up vetoes.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Historic tribal sovereignty bill falters, while sports betting advances
The Legislature’s budget committee failed to allocate $44,650 in funding needed to send the sovereignty bill to Gov. Janet Mills, who was expected to veto it, but officials say negotiations are ongoing.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Maine lawmakers to vote on bills awaiting funding
The more than 200 bills that were approved by the Legislature would cost more than $1.6 billion to implement.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
House Democrats reverse course and Legislature passes utility accountability bill
A day after delivering a major setback to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ efforts to hold utility companies more accountable, House Democrats reversed course and approved a slightly modified version of the bill Wednesday.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Pressure builds for Gov. Mills to sign bill expanding tribal rights
The Legislature passed a historic bill to restore sovereignty to Maine’s four tribes, but it didn’t have enough votes to overcome an expected veto.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Gov. Mills’ electric utility accountability bill stalls in Maine House
The bill, which establishes performance measures and financial penalties for failing to achieve them, was supported in the Senate but hit resistance in the House