Both Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and Republican Sen. Susan Collins have introduced similar bills in their respective chambers to shorten wait periods for asylum seekers who want to work.
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, News, Politics
White House salutes child care investments by Maine and other states
Senate President Troy Jackson attended an event at the White House on Wednesday to celebrate state efforts to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care as a means of lifting families out of poverty and strengthening local economies.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine House Democrat resigns to become county register of probate
Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, accepted an appointment to fill a vacancy as the Sagadahoc County Register of Probate.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
State budget gives one-time boost to program that gives poor Mainers legal aid in civil cases
But the initiative did not get the large increase in annual support called for in the bill that the Legislature passed.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Legislature’s budget committee wraps up work, leaves many bills unfunded
Measures to invest in the social safety net, waive tuition for certain UMaine students, increase starting pay for teachers and raise the minimum wage were among the casualties.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Next Maine governor, Legislature on track to get raises
Maine’s governor would see a nearly $42,000 annual pay increase, while the next batch of 186 lawmakers would see increases of about $17,000 each over the next two-year period.
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Legislature moves closer to sending state flag question to voters
Lawmakers released a hold on the bill after determining that the referendum would not have additional costs. It faces a final vote in the Senate before being sent to Gov. Janet Mills, who is still considering the proposal.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Mills signs, hails ‘historic’ budget creating family leave program
Lawmakers also were expected to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the fate of 266 bills that have been passed but were not included in the budget and are competing with other bills for $10 million to $12 million in unallocated funding.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills vetoes bill that would extend more federal laws and benefits to Maine tribes
Supporters of the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, are trying to shore up support to overturn the veto.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills: I will sign paid family leave into law
With the governor pledging her support, Maine will become the 13th state to have a mandatory paid family and medical leave program.