Randy Billings

Portland Press Herald

Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Latest

Published
June 12, 2023

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.
Published
June 12, 2023

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.
Published
June 9, 2023

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.
Published
June 8, 2023

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.
Published
June 8, 2023

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.
Published
June 7, 2023

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.
Published
June 6, 2023

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.
Published
June 1, 2023

Lawmakers recommend replacing popular senior property tax program

The Taxation Committee votes to expand benefits for low-income seniors under 2 existing programs, a move Democrats say will lead to more assistance to seniors who need help the most.
Published
May 31, 2023

Gov. Mills opposes bill to allow Maine tribes to benefit from most federal laws

A spokesperson said the governor would rather address specific bills and programs that unfairly exclude the Wabanaki Nations.
Published
May 30, 2023

Last-minute bill would allow Maine tribes to benefit from federal laws

Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said the measure, which would not allow Indigenous tribes to operate a casino without special permission from the state, is a top priority for the legislative session that is nearing an end.