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.
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 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.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, 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, Local & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Longtime legislator John Tuttle Jr. of Sanford dies at 70
The Democrat served in the state Legislature for nearly 30 years and also served as a Sanford city councilor.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature fails to muster enough support to allow farmworkers to unionize
Lawmakers don’t override Gov. Mills’ veto of a bill to allow workers at farms with 5 or more employees to negotiate wages and working conditions.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Child welfare workers sound alarm, telling lawmakers of heavy workloads and long hours
Nearly 97% of caseworkers who responded to a union survey said they have too many cases to manage, and about 30% said they consider resigning on a daily basis.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State watchdog’s initial report finds no obvious gaps in child protection oversight
The report from the Legislature’s accountability office provided only an overview of the Office of Child and Family Services, but future reports are expected to have more detailed findings and recommendations.