After a long day of voting and negotiating, Democrats in the Maine House didn’t have enough members present Friday to pass the remaining bills.
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
Dozens of departing Maine lawmakers could alter balance of power
Most of the open legislative seats heading into the fall – 22 of 39 – are currently held by Democrats, giving Republicans a mathematical advantage. But other factors also play a role.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
After uncertainty and a bit of Democratic infighting, the 131st Maine Legislature adjourns
Senate Democrats passed 80 additional spending bills, despite protests by Gov. Janet Mills. The House, however, voted to adjourn without taking the bills up.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Latest spending bills left hanging as Maine Legislature ends 2024 session
Maine Senate advances spending bills opposed by Gov. Mills, but the House chose not to vote on them.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers fail to override vetoes of bump stocks ban, farmworker minimum wage
All override efforts failed Friday and the Legislature has yet to override a veto by Gov. Janet Mills, who has rejected 49 bills since taking office.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills slams lawmakers for advancing more spending bills
A legislative committee advanced at least $10 million in additional spending this week after repeated warnings from the administration about pushing the state budget past the ‘breaking point.’
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine’s liquor prices are a mystery, and some say unfair. That may change.
The current pricing system for distilled spirits gives the director of the state liquor agency wide discretion to set prices, but a new law is intended to increase transparency and oversight.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
College graduations begin in Maine even as protests disrupt ceremonies around the U.S.
Protests have mostly been small and peaceful on Maine campuses, where students have joined the call to end to the war in Gaza and for their schools to divest from defense funds.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers return next week to consider veto overrides, leftover spending bills
Maine’s Legislature will reconvene May 10 to take up override votes on a handful of bills rejected by Gov. Janet Mills.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Mills allows waiting period for gun sales to become law; vetoes bump stock ban
The governor let the 72-hour pause pass without her signature, saying she was ‘deeply conflicted.’ She vetoed a second bill that would have banned rapid-fire devices.