The House voted 69-68 for the bill, which is similar to a proposal defeated in a statewide referendum in 2016.
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, Politics
Maine House joins Senate to advance paid family leave bill
The bill faces additional votes in the Legislature and must overcome the hurdle of securing $25 million in start-up funding before being sent to Gov. Janet Mills.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
State lawmakers overwhelmingly support tribal bill opposed by Gov. Mills
The 100-47 House vote and 26-8 Senate vote show strong support among state lawmakers, including among some Republicans, who will be needed to overcome a possible veto from the governor.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers begin voting on nearly a dozen abortion bills
The bills tackled Tuesday evening didn’t include Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed expansion, which would allow abortions after fetal viability if deemed necessary from a medical professional.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bills passed by Maine lawmakers are piling up on ‘the table’ – and many will die there
Many bills passed by the Legislature but not included in the governor’s budget are sent to what’s known as the ‘special appropriations table,’ where they compete for limited funding and often die a quiet death.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers reach deal on highway budget to avoid partial shutdown
Unanimous votes in the Senate and House would create a new revenue stream for highway projects to make it less reliant on fuel taxes and borrowing, a move that decreases the potential for a partial shutdown of state government.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Republicans embrace absentee voting as key to Maine special election win
‘The results in Maine are proof positive that focusing on pre-Election Day voting will be critical to delivering Republican victories in 2024,’ the Republican National Committee said.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine House rejects 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales
The 73-69 vote shows the difficulty of passing gun legislation in Maine, which has a strong hunting heritage and tradition of gun ownership.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
State flag referendum survives challenge in the House
The bill’s sponsor says the secretary of state plans to work with a bipartisan group to choose a version of the popular 1901 flag for voters to consider this fall.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
$15 minimum wage proposal advances by 1 vote in House
The proposal to raise the minimum wage on January 1 now heads to the Senate.