Formed by the Legislature earlier this year, the task force has become more urgent following the Oct. 25 shooting in Lewiston. Four of the 18 people killed and 5 of the 13 injured were members of the Deaf community.
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 inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Task force begins review of hospital facility fees
The Task Force to Evaluate the Impact of Facility Fees on Patients has only two weeks to complete its work and issue recommendations to the Legislature, which will reconvene Jan. 3.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Errors made in death of 6-week-old boy similar to other cases, advocates say
The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee met Wednesday for the first time since Todd Landry resigned as the director of the embattled Office of Child and Family Services.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine expects $265 million budget surplus over 2 years
The stronger-than-expected revenue forecast – including a $139 million surplus in this fiscal year – is driven primarily by consumer spending, sales tax growth and income tax returns.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
More than 37% of eligible Maine voters cast ballots in Nov. 7 election
The fall ballot did not include any statewide or national races, which typically draw more voters to the polls.
Posted inLocal & State
Pingree, Collins renew long-shot bids to let asylum seekers go to work
Maine’s 1st District congresswoman has submitted an amendment to shorten the waiting period for work permits, and Maine’s senior senator is pressing for a similar provision in the Senate.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s embattled child welfare director resigns
Todd Landry, whose leadership had been questioned by lawmakers, cited “personal reasons” for his resignation, which is effective immediately.
Posted inLocal & State
Gov. Mills, tribal leaders hold three-hour summit on sovereignty issues
While no breakthroughs were reported, both sides agreed to work together during the upcoming legislative session.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Top state officials see a long road to recovery after Lewiston shooting
The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet convened a special meeting Tuesday to discuss efforts to provide resources to students and teachers coping with the state’s worst mass shooting.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Former Gov. Paul LePage hopes to raise $500,000 for families of Lewiston shooting victims
The former Republican governor and Lewiston native hopes to distribute the money to the families of the 18 people killed and 13 survivors before Christmas.