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.
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, 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.
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Posted inMaine, 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 inMaine, 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 inMaine, 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 inMaine, 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 inMaine, 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.
Posted inMaine, 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.
Posted inMaine, 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 inMaine, 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.