While no breakthroughs were reported, both sides agreed to work together during the upcoming legislative session.
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 inMaine, 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.
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Posted inMaine, 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.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers will take up bills to increase shelter funding, but won’t ban encampment sweeps
Legislative leaders decided Thursday to allow lawmakers to move forward with bills to shore up the state’s emergency shelters amid rising numbers of homeless people.
Posted inMaine
Watchdog finds ‘errors on top of errors’ in death of 6-week-old Jaden Harding
A state watchdog agency submitted the critical report to a legislative committee Wednesday.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Support for federal workers affected by government shutdowns makes list of new bills going before lawmakers
Nearly 60 new bills have so far been teed up for the upcoming legislative session, and more are expected to come forward in the wake of the Oct. 25 mass shootings in Lewiston.
Posted inMaine, Schools and Education
State workers vote no confidence in director of child development services
The union representing agency workers called on the Maine Department of Education to replace Director Roberta Lucas, citing a ‘toxic work environment’ and her ‘apparent support’ for dissolving the agency.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Maine’s child protection staff: ‘We work within a broken system’
Lawmakers reviewing the state’s child protective agency hear testimony from front-line workers for the first time Wednesday, and their message is sobering.
Posted inElection 2023, Maine, Politics
Voters pass ban on foreign spending on referendum campaigns
Question 2 bans foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending on Maine referendum campaigns.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News, Politics
Will Lewiston massacre lead to new gun control laws in Maine?
Gun safety is certain to dominate debate in the State House when lawmakers return in January, but options may be limited – members of both parties voted to block gun safety bills this year.