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.
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PublishedJune 12, 2023
House, Senate agree to let voters decide about new state flag
Gov. Janet Mills hasn’t yet weighed in on a bill that would ask voters this fall whether they want to replace the current state flag with one based on the design used until 1909 that is comprised of a pine tree and blue star.
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PublishedJune 9, 2023
Maine’s high court rules lawmakers may still enact citizen referendums
The decision likely only affects one question, which lawmakers say enjoys widespread support in the Legislature and across the state: Banning foreign spending on state referendum campaigns.
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PublishedJune 8, 2023
Minority Republicans notch a rare win for now on highway budget
Republicans successfully won permanent funding for the chronically underfunded highway budget. But it’s unclear whether the committee change will stick.
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PublishedJune 8, 2023
Senate wants Maine voters to decide whether to change the state flag
The bill would replace the current flag with the state flag used from 1901 to 1909, which features a pine tree in the center of a white field and a blue star in the upper left corner.
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PublishedJune 7, 2023
House narrowly votes to restore Maine’s original flag
The bill’s prospects remain uncertain as a half dozen Democrats joined Republicans to oppose the bill, which passed by a 2-vote margin with 20 members absent.
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PublishedJune 6, 2023
Highway fund raises new tensions over state budget negotiations
A continuing services budget passed by Democrats in March did not include highway funding, which is used to fund operations for the Maine Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and part of the Maine State Police.
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PublishedJune 1, 2023
Lawmakers recommend replacing popular senior property tax program
The Taxation Committee votes to expand benefits for low-income seniors under 2 existing programs, a move Democrats say will lead to more assistance to seniors who need help the most.
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PublishedMay 31, 2023
Gov. Mills opposes bill to allow Maine tribes to benefit from most federal laws
A spokesperson said the governor would rather address specific bills and programs that unfairly exclude the Wabanaki Nations.
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PublishedMay 30, 2023
Last-minute bill would allow Maine tribes to benefit from federal laws
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said the measure, which would not allow Indigenous tribes to operate a casino without special permission from the state, is a top priority for the legislative session that is nearing an end.
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PublishedMay 26, 2023
Critics say report on child’s death sidestepped state’s failures
A legislative committee heard emotional testimony about the state’s oversight of 3-year-old Maddox Williams, who was killed in 2021.
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