While Gov. Janet Mills didn’t get the votes she needed for an emergency heating assistance package last week, she goes into a second term with a Democratic majority in the Legislature and projected budget surpluses.
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, Uncategorized
Bill to provide heating aid and relief checks unlikely to pass before January
Citing the expedited process, Republicans in the Maine Senate blocked the emergency bill Wednesday, but it will come up again, likely when the Legislature reconvenes after the holidays.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Plan to provide heating assistance and relief checks fails in Maine Senate
Republicans in the Maine Senate rejected the bill, which fell short of getting a two-thirds majority needed to pass as emergency legislation and take effect immediately.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills proposes $450 relief checks as part of heating assistance package
Gov. Janet Mills and legislative leaders have been trying to find agreement on a relief package that can get bipartisan approval on Wednesday, allowing the aid to be sent to struggling Mainers this winter.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Negotiations continue over heating and energy aid for Mainers
While details were not released, another round of relief checks and additional rental assistance are being contemplated, along with direct heating and energy assistance.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Big issues await legislators in new session, starting with heating Mainers’ homes
When it begins work this week, the 131st Legislature will dig into its first big test: a bipartisan deal on energy relief.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Legislative leaders vow to tackle housing crisis
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate say the state’s housing crisis, coupled with the loss of federal funding for rental assistance, must be a priority for the incoming Legislature.
Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
State panel levies $10,680 in fines against group that backed Democratic candidates
The Maine Ethics Commission voted to fine the political action committee after determining it failed to disclose top funders.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State expects another budget surplus despite economic uncertainty
Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement that an additional $283 million in projected revenue this year would help create an ’emergency winter energy relief program’ to help struggling Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State
State agency, legislative committee clash in court over child protection records
As plaintiff, the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee says the outcome will have ‘profound implications for vindicating and upholding the Separation of Powers central to our Maine Constitution.’