A spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills said she will allow a bill calling for a referendum on the state flag to take effect without her signature, effectively delaying the statewide vote until November 2024.
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, Maine Crime
State corrections official charged with theft, bribery
Gerald E. Merrill, a deputy superintendent with the Maine Department of Corrections, was arrested Tuesday and accused of operating a kickback scheme for nearly a decade.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Advocates look to fall referendum to ban foreign campaign spending
The Legislature failed to muster the votes to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of the measure, setting the stage for a statewide vote in November.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Biden to focus on economy, manufacturing in visit to Maine on Friday
The president’s stop is part of a national push touting ‘Bidenomics,’ which supporters say is an attempt to grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, rather than the top down.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Millions of dollars in foreign campaign funds pour into Maine as lawmakers push to ban them
Lawmakers say they will try to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of the foreign spending ban, but it won’t prevent foreign-owned companies from pouring money into Maine politics this fall.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine delegation gets backing of U.S. Chamber in push to speed work permits for asylum seekers
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.
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.
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.