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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PublishedAugust 24, 2023
Maine Republicans still back Trump, but independents are a new wild card in state’s primary
New rules that allow unenrolled voters to participate in either party’s presidential primaries, coupled with ranked-choice voting, could complicate former President Donald Trump’s odds of winning Maine’s Republican nomination, despite continued strong support in his party.
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PublishedAugust 21, 2023
Maine supporters of a right to a clean environment encouraged by Montana ruling
Efforts to add the Pine Tree Amendment to the Maine Constitution are now being led by youth groups.
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PublishedAugust 17, 2023
Maine’s budget surplus provides $65 million for affordable housing
The state closed the 2023 fiscal year with a $141 million surplus, which is being used to fill Maine’s ‘rainy day’ fund and build more affordable housing.
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PublishedAugust 17, 2023
Mills seeks $9 million in federal aid for June rainstorm damage
Gov. Janet Mills asked President Biden to declare separate June rainstorms in Oxford and Franklin counties major disasters so the state can receive federal funding to repair roads, bridges and culverts.
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PublishedAugust 16, 2023
Top lawmakers eye new laws in response to rise of white nationalism
The Democrats also pointed to a new law that prohibits attempts to cause emotional distress or fear if motivated by race, sexual orientation or other factors.
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PublishedAugust 5, 2023
Maine addiction recovery advocates notch legislative wins, eye future battles
Advocates secured additional funding for treatment beds and expanded access to naloxone last session. Another bill to create safe consumption sites failed, but the state will study the idea in the coming year.
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PublishedAugust 2, 2023
Congressional delegation, Maine Republican leaders react cautiously to newest Trump indictment
Only Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, offered a pointed response to the former president’s latest legal troubles.
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PublishedJuly 30, 2023
Maine Legislature makes history despite tensions between, and within, parties
Major new laws were passed, bringing Mainers paid family and medical leave and expanded access to abortion.
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PublishedJuly 26, 2023
Maine state flag referendum will wait until next year
A spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills said she will allow a bill calling for a referendum on the state flag to take effect without her signature, effectively delaying the statewide vote until November 2024.
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PublishedJuly 26, 2023
State corrections official charged with theft, bribery
Gerald E. Merrill, a deputy superintendent with the Maine Department of Corrections, was arrested Tuesday and accused of operating a kickback scheme for nearly a decade.
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