All but 3 lawmakers signed onto the resolution expressing support for the Ukrainian people and condemning the Russian invasion.
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
Bill to give Mainers right to healthy environment fails in House
The House voted 77-59 in support of the Pine Tree Amendment – well short of the two-thirds vote needed to send it to voters this fall. The proposal faces a vote in the Senate.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
A right to clean air and water? In broad initiatives, critics predict a sea of litigation
A move to enshrine in Maine’s Constitution a right to healthy environment is part of a trend of broadly worded amendments that includes the right to food.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Legislature unanimously approves $12 million boost for child care workforce
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau’s bill is supported by Gov. Janet Mills, but still needs to be funded by the Legislature’s budget-writing committee.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
State watchdog: Poor training, high workloads hampering child abuse investigations
A new OPEGA report did not directly say that the deficiencies contributed to the four child deaths that occurred within a month of each other last summer, sparking its investigation.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
$30 million fund to help lobstermen meet new rules gets strong support in Maine House
An initial 116-18 vote shows bipartisan support for aid to the industry in complying with new federal requirements meant to protect right whales.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine House advances bill to allow ranked-choice voting in communities statewide
The bill would allow all of Maine’s communities, whether they have official charters or not, to establish ranked-choice voting.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Republicans embrace inflation payments proposed by Gov. Mills, want them expedited
The move puts the party at odds with former Gov. Paul LePage, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in November and has called the proposal ‘an election-year gimmick.’
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Lawmakers advance bill to give mobile sports betting licenses to Maine tribes
A last-minute amendment would allow harness racing tracks in Bangor and Cumberland and the Oxford Casino to offer in-person sports betting.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Bill to establish court-ordered substance use treatment divides recovery advocates
Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, said losing her sister to alcohol addiction this year spurred her to introduce the bill after the deadline for new legislation.