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.
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PublishedMarch 15, 2025
Senate Republicans’ budget bill rules out federal earmarks for state projects
While Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King voted for the spending measure to avoid a shutdown, it eliminates millions of dollars of so-called earmarks for projects in Maine and nationwide.
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PublishedMarch 11, 2025
Republicans in Maine Senate balk at budget compromise
A compromise proposal for funding a MaineCare shortfall failed to get the two-thirds support needed to pass it as emergency legislation Tuesday night in the Senate, sending lawmakers back to the drawing board.
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PublishedMarch 11, 2025
Maine’s federal delegation could play role in Republican effort to avoid a shutdown
If Congress doesn’t pass a stopgap spending bill by midnight Friday, the federal government will shut down nonessential services.
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PublishedMarch 9, 2025
Time is running out for Maine budget compromise to avoid reduced hospital payments
The state will begin reducing MaineCare reimbursements to small rural hospitals and withhold reimbursements for larger claims on Wednesday if lawmakers do not pass an emergency supplemental budget.
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PublishedMarch 5, 2025
Trump administration finds Maine in violation of Title IX over transgender policy
The decision, dated Feb. 25, came just days after the administration announced its investigation and does not appear to be based on conversations with state officials.
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PublishedMarch 4, 2025
With time running out, Maine lawmakers play chicken over supplemental budget
The state has notified medical providers that serve low-income patients to expect lower MaineCare reimbursements if lawmakers can’t reach an agreement by March 12.
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PublishedMarch 4, 2025
Maine Republicans argue women’s rights are threatened by transgender policy
Gov. Janet Mills is standing her ground against President Donald Trump’s demand that the state drop the policy, saying the president is claiming executive power that he doesn’t have.
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PublishedMarch 3, 2025
Gov. Mills, members of Congress warn Trump that tariffs would raise prices for Mainers
Three of Maine’s 4 congressional delegation signed a letter to the Trump administration warning against starting a ‘tit-for-tat’ trade war with Canada that they say will drive up costs on heating fuel, gasoline, building supplies and more.
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PublishedMarch 3, 2025
Challenger criticizes Susan Collins for lack of oversight of Elon Musk spending cuts
Phillip Rench, a former engineer for SpaceX, one of billionaire Elon Musk’s companies, is mounting a long-shot bid to unseat Collins in 2026.
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PublishedMarch 2, 2025
Maine bill aims to fight online ‘doxxing’ and harassment of children
The bill, sponsored by Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, was filed before a Republican lawmaker posted photos of a transgender student athlete that went viral on social media last month.
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