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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PublishedMay 26, 2023
What can Maine do?
State leaders and residents are far from unified on how much Maine can afford to spend to support asylum seekers – and on how much responsibility it has to do so.
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PublishedMay 25, 2023
Lawmakers may study hospital ‘facility fees’ before restricting them
Ann Woloson, executive director of Mainers for Affordable Health Care, said she supports creating a task force to study the issue and balance the needs of patients and hospitals.
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PublishedMay 24, 2023
Impacts of federal debt default could spread through Maine’s workforce, economy
The state has a lot of federal workers, and a lot of retirees and veterans who collect benefits. The biggest worry, though, seems to be in the unknown. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debts.
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PublishedMay 22, 2023
Proposals to protect digital privacy draw opposition from tech companies, business groups
Lawmakers are considering bills to prevent the use or sale of a range of personal data. Opponents say Maine’s rules would be too burdensome on businesses.
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PublishedMay 18, 2023
Maine parties spar over spending, tax cuts as budget talks heat up
Republicans say continuing to increase state spending as many families struggle to meet basic needs is ‘not a good sell’ for Democrats.
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PublishedMay 17, 2023
Lawmakers clash over gun bills, but make little progress on legislation
The fate of several gun safety bills remain in limbo after split committee votes, with legislators on both sides of the aisle accusing the opposition of being intransigent.
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PublishedMay 15, 2023
Effort to restore parole in Maine appears unlikely after committee vote
The bill was rejected 6-5 by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and faces ongoing opposition from Gov. Janet Mills, a former prosecutor.
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PublishedMay 12, 2023
Efforts to protect gender-affirming care draw impassioned testimony at State House
Two bills elicited more than 4 hours of remarks from members of the public, including one that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to begin taking puberty blockers and hormone therapy without their parents’ consent.
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PublishedMay 11, 2023
Explosion, fire in truck parked outside Blaine House in Augusta not considered suspicious
A loud explosion was reported before flames engulfed the bed of a pickup parked alongside the governor’s mansion.
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PublishedMay 10, 2023
Gov. Mills unveils new spending plan to address housing shortage, homelessness and other needs
The governor said her nearly $900 million change package, which does not propose any tax relief or reform, addresses ‘pressing needs,’ such as homelessness, food insecurity and the lack of affordable housing.
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