A bill sponsored by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, received unanimous, bipartisan endorsement in committee on Friday.
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, Nation & World, Politics
Peace activists urge protest votes in Maine’s Democratic primary
The Maine Coalition for Palestine is urging people to write-in ‘ceasefire’ on presidential primary ballots Tuesday to protest President Biden’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Ban on paramilitary training camps falters in Maine House
The sponsor, Rep. Laurie Osher, D-Orono, said a vote on the bill was delayed at the last minute over concerns it didn’t have enough votes to pass with 7 members absent.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Nikki Haley to hold rally in Portland on Sunday
The Republican presidential candidate is coming to Maine 2 days before the March 5 primary.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
State workers’ union files labor complaint against Mills administration
The union accused the administration of ignoring a legislative mandate to update salary information in a 2020 study comparing state workers salaries with the private sector.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine Democrats unveil gun safety and mental health bills. The partisan battles begin.
A 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, a ban on bump stocks and a network of mental health crisis centers are among the measures Democratic leaders in the Legislature have proposed in response to the mass shooting in Lewiston.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gun safety debate about to heat up in Maine State House
One bill to be unveiled Wednesday calls for a 72-hour waiting period on firearm purchases, a measure that has previously been defeated by the Democratic controlled Legislature.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Nikki Haley announces Maine campaign team a week before presidential primary
The Republican candidate continues to campaign for the party’s nomination despite losing soundly to former President Donald Trump in all the early primary states.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s new pine tree license plate to be unveiled next week
The new standard-issue plates will replace the familiar chickadee plates starting next year.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine fails to meet federal standards when returning at-risk children to their families, watchdog report says
OPEGA’s report highlights another symptom of a child welfare system that suffers from high vacancies, heavy caseloads and a lack of community services for families struggling with mental health and substance use issues.