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.
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PublishedMay 8, 2023
Gun debate returns to Augusta amid rise in mass shootings nationwide
Lawmakers will continue to hear more gun rights and gun control bills in the coming days, and behind-the-scenes discussions are just beginning on a proposal aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are prohibited from having them.
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PublishedMay 8, 2023
Maine lawmaker calls for sweeping review of state constitution
Democratic Sen. Craig Hickman wants to create a 13-member, bipartisan commission to study and recommend changes to state government.
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PublishedMay 4, 2023
House majority leader proposes expanding state child tax credit
Rep. Maureen Terry’s proposal would eliminate minimum income requirements for people to receive tax credits for dependents and increase that credit from $300 to $350 per dependent.
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PublishedMay 4, 2023
Lawmakers move to ask state’s high court for opinion on referendum dispute
Lawmakers from both parties say there is widespread support for a citizen initiative to ban foreign governments from spending money on state referendum campaigns.
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PublishedMay 3, 2023
Some House Republicans join lawsuit over Democrats’ budget maneuver
The plaintiffs, including Republican Reps. Shelley Rudnicki and Randall Greenwood, claim that Gov. Janet Mills and Democratic leaders in the Legislature violated the state constitution by passing a party-line budget in March and then calling a special session to finish other work.
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PublishedMay 2, 2023
Committee advances bill to address Maine’s chronic homelessness
The bill would devote millions in revenue the state receives from real estate sales into a statewide program to support permanent housing and services for people who are chronically homeless.
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PublishedApril 28, 2023
State expects another budget surplus and parties again clash over what to do with it
Higher prices and higher wages have led to more sales and income taxes being collected by the state, reigniting the debate over whether to cut taxes or invest in state programs.
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PublishedApril 26, 2023
Sen. King proposes ethics rules for U.S. Supreme Court justices
Maine’s independent senator teams up with an Alaska Republican on a bill to require the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct and investigate complaints, while Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree has co-sponsored similar bills in the U.S. House.
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PublishedApril 14, 2023
Report cites missed opportunities in Maddox Williams case
But the review of the state’s handling of the 3-year-old’s death in 2021 found that caseworkers didn’t make any “unsound” decisions. It also illustrates the complexities Child Protective Services faces in cases involving substance use, mental health and numerous parents.
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PublishedApril 14, 2023
State leaders denounce white supremacist letters sent to lawmakers
At least 8 Democratic legislators received the letters Wednesday, leaders said. A former Portland City Council candidate read the same letter aloud at Monday’s council meeting.
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