The high-profile speech comes as Mainers grow weary of pandemic restrictions and as Mills and her party hope to retain control of the Blaine House and both chambers of the Legislature in November’s elections.
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 inHealth, Maine, News, Politics
Lawmakers say no to bill legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy in Maine
The Health and Human Services Committee voted 8-3 against legalizing medical use of the psychedelic compound contained in ‘magic mushrooms,’ even after the bill’s sponsor offered to amend it to simply study the issue and possibly offer it as palliative care.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Gov. Mills unveils $8 million plan to improve child protection in Maine
The plan would strengthen the office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman and add child protection caseworkers to cover weekends, nights and holidays, among other initiatives.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Bipartisan group of lawmakers asks Mills to raise pensions for retired state workers
People receiving benefits under the Maine Public Employees Retirement System got the maximum 3% cost-of-living adjustment last summer, but it wasn’t enough to cover the 5.4% rate of inflation.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Committee advances bill to let Maine towns collect fees on short-term rentals
The bill would let communities impose impact fees on short-term rentals that aren’t inhabited by permanent residents and use that money to support affordable housing.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine National Guard members to deploy to Eastern Europe this spring
The deployment comes amid increase tensions between Russia and the United States, but a National Guard spokesperson says the exercise is not related to President Biden’s plan to send reinforcements to NATO allies.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Politics
Maine CDC director opposes bill to legalize hallucinogenic mushrooms, says more research needed
Dr. Nirav Shah expressed concerns, including limits the on DHHS to regulate use of psilocybin and what he said was too little input from behavioral and public health experts.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Bill could give Maine an advantage in new space race
Proponents say establishing the Maine Space Port Corp. as a quasi-state agency would maximize investments into aerospace technology from federal sources and private venture capitalists.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Maine teachers urge lawmakers to address COVID sick leave loophole
A bill passed last year required local school districts to provide school staff with 15 additional days off for pandemic-related absences, but some districts have not done so since October, citing what opponents call a loophole in the original bill.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine could legalize ‘magic mushroom’ drug to treat depression
Early studies have shown that psilocybin-assisted therapy can dramatically reduce severe depression, but some warn that it’s not safe for everyone.