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
June 21, 2023

State lawmakers overwhelmingly support tribal bill opposed by Gov. Mills

The 100-47 House vote and 26-8 Senate vote show strong support among state lawmakers, including among some Republicans, who will be needed to overcome a possible veto from the governor.
Published
June 20, 2023

Lawmakers begin voting on nearly a dozen abortion bills

The bills tackled Tuesday evening didn’t include Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed expansion, which would allow abortions after fetal viability if deemed necessary from a medical professional.
Published
June 19, 2023

Bills passed by Maine lawmakers are piling up on ‘the table’ – and many will die there

Many bills passed by the Legislature but not included in the governor’s budget are sent to what’s known as the ‘special appropriations table,’ where they compete for limited funding and often die a quiet death.
Published
June 15, 2023

Lawmakers reach deal on highway budget to avoid partial shutdown

Unanimous votes in the Senate and House would create a new revenue stream for highway projects to make it less reliant on fuel taxes and borrowing, a move that decreases the potential for a partial shutdown of state government.
Published
June 14, 2023

Republicans embrace absentee voting as key to Maine special election win

‘The results in Maine are proof positive that focusing on pre-Election Day voting will be critical to delivering Republican victories in 2024,’ the Republican National Committee said.
Published
June 13, 2023

Maine House rejects 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales

The 73-69 vote shows the difficulty of passing gun legislation in Maine, which has a strong hunting heritage and tradition of gun ownership.
Published
June 13, 2023

State flag referendum survives challenge in the House

The bill’s sponsor says the secretary of state plans to work with a bipartisan group to choose a version of the popular 1901 flag for voters to consider this fall.
Published
June 13, 2023

Legislature backs $15 minimum wage, but Mills opposes it

The proposal to raise the minimum wage won approval from the House and Senate, but likely won’t get the governor’s signature.
Published
June 12, 2023

House votes down proposed rating system for school books

It was one of several bills seeking to restrict books and discussions in schools about controversial topics, including gender identity and sexual orientation.
Published
June 12, 2023

Lawmakers split on response to reports of increased juvenile crimes

The House rejects a bill that would allow police to resume temporary detentions of juveniles for less serious crimes, with Democrats calling for more services to support at-risk youth.