Randy Billings

Staff Writer

Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Latest

Published
July 12, 2023

Legislature moves closer to sending state flag question to voters

Lawmakers released a hold on the bill after determining that the referendum would not have additional costs. It faces a final vote in the Senate before being sent to Gov. Janet Mills, who is still considering the proposal.
Published
July 11, 2023

Mills signs, hails ‘historic’ budget creating family leave program

Lawmakers also were expected to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the fate of 266 bills that have been passed but were not included in the budget and are competing with other bills for $10 million to $12 million in unallocated funding.
Published
June 30, 2023

Gov. Mills vetoes bill that would extend more federal laws and benefits to Maine tribes

Supporters of the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, are trying to shore up support to overturn the veto.
Published
June 29, 2023

Gov. Mills: I will sign paid family leave into law

With the governor pledging her support, Maine will become the 13th state to have a mandatory paid family and medical leave program.
Published
June 28, 2023

Budget deal would replace popular senior property tax program

The property tax stabilization program would end and 2 existing programs would be expanded to provide more targeted relief to lower-income seniors under a proposal passed by a legislative committee.
Published
June 28, 2023

Mills says she’ll sign budget deal that includes money for paid family leave, child care

The governor’s support ensures that Maine will become the 13th state to implement mandatory paid leave to workers who need time off to care for family members or themselves.
Published
June 27, 2023

Senate blocks background checks for private gun sales

The 21-13 vote effectively kills the bill, which passed the House by 1 vote on Monday.
Published
June 26, 2023

Bill to extend MaineCare coverage to noncitizens wins support in Maine House

House members voted 78-61 in favor of the bill, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed.
Published
June 26, 2023

Maine House narrowly passes bill to require background checks for private gun sales

The House voted 69-68 for the bill, which is similar to a proposal defeated in a statewide referendum in 2016.
Published
June 22, 2023

Maine House joins Senate to advance paid family leave bill

The bill faces additional votes in the Legislature and must overcome the hurdle of securing $25 million in start-up funding before being sent to Gov. Janet Mills.