Multiple candidates are competing to be party chair for the next two years.
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, Politics
$450 relief checks could begin arriving in late January
If passed by the full Legislature as expected on Jan. 4, the first checks would be mailed to qualified taxpayers in late January.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Legislative committee supports heating aid package that includes $450 checks
The vote came after an hours-long public hearing where advocates and lawmakers urged passage of the original $473 million bill to provide emergency heating and energy relief, and rental assistance.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Democrats undecided on returning Bankman-Fried’s donation
Sen. Susan Collins’ office said she plans to donate $5,800 to charity; Democrats say they have yet to make a decision.
Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Record $28 million spent on Maine’s race for governor
Spending also surpassed national projections, with one group estimating that $27 million would be spent on the race for governor.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Uncategorized
Lawmakers agree to public hearing on $450 emergency checks, boosting heating aid
Legislative leaders formed a committee to receive public testimony on a $473 million emergency heating and energy plan, whose centerpiece would be immediate payments to most Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Two state senators propose smaller heating aid plan
A bipartisan proposal to help Mainers afford heat and electricity this winter would drastically scale back Gov. Janet Mills’ $474 million emergency package that Senate Republicans blocked last week.
Posted inElection 2022, Politics
From big reelection win to partisan pushback, what lies ahead in Mills’ second term?
While Gov. Janet Mills didn’t get the votes she needed for an emergency heating assistance package last week, she goes into a second term with a Democratic majority in the Legislature and projected budget surpluses.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Bill to provide heating aid and relief checks unlikely to pass before January
Citing the expedited process, Republicans in the Maine Senate blocked the emergency bill Wednesday, but it will come up again, likely when the Legislature reconvenes after the holidays.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Plan to provide heating assistance and relief checks fails in Maine Senate
Republicans in the Maine Senate rejected the bill, which fell short of getting a two-thirds majority needed to pass as emergency legislation and take effect immediately.