A committee takes the unusual step of suing Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services after agency officials did not comply with a subpoena seeking records of four children who have died from abuse or neglect.
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 inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Spending by outside groups surges with 3 weeks left until election
An increase in spending means Maine residents should prepare for even more ads supporting or attacking the candidates for governor.
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Posted inElection 2022, Local & State
Democrats, allies are spending big in bid to keep control of Maine’s Legislature
If successful, Democrats would maintain the ability to elect constitutional officers, set the policy agenda and block policy proposals from former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, should he defeat Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Nov. 8.
Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Ad Watch: Out-of-state group falsely accuses Gov. Mills of increasing gas tax
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills was initially skeptical about a bill that would have added 40 cents a gallon to carbon fuels and Democratic lawmakers abandoned the bill in committee amid Republican-led opposition.
Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Pingree and Thelander clash over support for the lobster industry in 1st Congressional District debate
Republican Ed Thelander apologized for referring to federal fisheries regulators as rapists and Rep. Chellie Pingree chastised him for dismissing her efforts to help.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Early and absentee voting underway in Maine
So far, Democrats are requesting six out of every 10 absentee ballots – a much higher rate than Republicans.
Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Ad watch: LePage falsely accuses Gov. Mills of giving welfare to ‘illegal immigrants’
A new ad, which also accuses the governor of handing out crack pipes, takes liberties with the facts.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Ad watch: TV spot plays into concerns about abortion restrictions if LePage is elected
The ad implies LePage supports banning abortion in cases of rape or incest, but his daughter and a spokesman strongly deny it.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Watch: Candidates clash over economy, abortion in Maine gubernatorial debate
Gov. Janet Mills, former Gov. Paul LePage and independent challenger Sam Hunkler faced off for the first time ahead of the November election.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Prominent donors line up behind governor candidates
Gov. Janet Mills and former Gov. Paul LePage are spending furiously in the final stretch before the election, and getting help from some familiar names.