President Donald Trump’s global trade war and federal spending cuts — as well as his threat of cutting funds to Maine — have state officials preparing for slowing economic growth and rising unemployment.
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 inNews, Politics
Rep. Chellie Pingree calls Trump’s EPA cuts an ‘assault on science, public health’
‘We strongly urge you to immediately reverse course and abandon this dangerous plan,’ the Maine congresswoman and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
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Posted inNews, Politics
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows blasts Trump elections order
Trump has threatened to pull federal funding from states that don’t require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and count only those absentee ballots returned by Election Day.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Susan Collins clashes with Trump on spending cut
The president informed Congress that he is withholding $3 billion in emergency spending authorized in the stopgap spending bill that was approved last week.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Republican fails in attempt to censure House speaker
The motion to punish Speaker Ryan Fecteau for a rules violation is the latest example of the partisan tensions at the State House.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Raise taxes on Maine’s wealthy? Some of them are OK with that
An added 4% tax on incomes over $1 million and capital gains over $250,000 could generate more than $200 million in annual revenue for the state, according to estimates provided to lawmakers.
Posted inElections, News, Politics
Shenna Bellows announces campaign for Maine governor
Maine’s secretary of state is expected to be part of a crowded field of candidates in the 2026 race.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Angus King presses Tulsi Gabbard on leak of military attack plans
Sen. Susan Collins, who was ill and did not attend the hearing where senators grilled Trump’s director of national intelligence, said she also is seeking answers about why and how the breach occurred.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills fires back after Trump’s demand for ‘full throated apology’
The governor refutes the president’s claims that he is trying to protect women, saying that if he wanted to do that he would be focusing on the economy, health care, education and foreign aid.
Posted inPolitics
House Republicans try but fail to remove censure of Laurel Libby
The move delayed debate over an $11.3 billion state budget on Thursday.