The proposal to raise the minimum wage on January 1 now heads to the Senate.
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
Legislature backs $15 minimum wage, but Mills opposes it
The proposal to raise the minimum wage won approval from the House and Senate, but likely won’t get the governor’s signature.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
House votes down proposed rating system for school books
It was one of several bills seeking to restrict books and discussions in schools about controversial topics, including gender identity and sexual orientation.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers split on response to reports of increased juvenile crimes
The House rejects a bill that would allow police to resume temporary detentions of juveniles for less serious crimes, with Democrats calling for more services to support at-risk youth.
Posted inLocal & State, News
House, Senate agree to let voters decide about new state flag
Gov. Janet Mills hasn’t yet weighed in on a bill that would ask voters this fall whether they want to replace the current state flag with one based on the design used until 1909 that is comprised of a pine tree and blue star.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine’s high court rules lawmakers may still enact citizen referendums
The decision likely only affects one question, which lawmakers say enjoys widespread support in the Legislature and across the state: Banning foreign spending on state referendum campaigns.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Minority Republicans notch a rare win for now on highway budget
Republicans successfully won permanent funding for the chronically underfunded highway budget. But it’s unclear whether the committee change will stick.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Senate wants Maine voters to decide whether to change the state flag
The bill would replace the current flag with the state flag used from 1901 to 1909, which features a pine tree in the center of a white field and a blue star in the upper left corner.
Posted inLocal & State, News
House narrowly votes to restore Maine’s original flag
The bill’s prospects remain uncertain as a half dozen Democrats joined Republicans to oppose the bill, which passed by a 2-vote margin with 20 members absent.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Highway fund raises new tensions over state budget negotiations
A continuing services budget passed by Democrats in March did not include highway funding, which is used to fund operations for the Maine Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and part of the Maine State Police.