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.
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PublishedMay 5, 2024
Maine’s liquor prices are a mystery, and some say unfair. That may change.
The current pricing system for distilled spirits gives the director of the state liquor agency wide discretion to set prices, but a new law is intended to increase transparency and oversight.
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PublishedMay 3, 2024
College graduations begin in Maine even as protests disrupt ceremonies around the U.S.
Protests have mostly been small and peaceful on Maine campuses, where students have joined the call to end to the war in Gaza and for their schools to divest from defense funds.
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PublishedMay 1, 2024
Lawmakers return next week to consider veto overrides, leftover spending bills
Maine’s Legislature will reconvene May 10 to take up override votes on a handful of bills rejected by Gov. Janet Mills.
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PublishedApril 29, 2024
Mills allows waiting period for gun sales to become law; vetoes bump stock ban
The governor let the 72-hour pause pass without her signature, saying she was ‘deeply conflicted.’ She vetoed a second bill that would have banned rapid-fire devices.
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PublishedApril 26, 2024
Maine Republican leaders urge party to regain trust of women as convention begins
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, got a mixed welcome before speaking to party faithful, many of whom displayed support for former President Donald Trump.
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PublishedApril 25, 2024
Maine’s high court upholds COVID vaccine mandate for EMS personnel
A group of emergency medical personnel challenged the 2021 vaccine mandate, but the Maine Supreme Judicial Court says a state board had full authority to impose the rule.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Gov. Mills signs bill to ban unauthorized paramilitary activity
The law allows the attorney general’s office to file for a court injunction to stop the activity and penalize anyone breaking the law with a Class D crime, which is punishable by fines of $500 to $1,000 and up to a year in jail.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Senate moves to exempt sole store targeted by bill to ban tobacco sales near schools
A Senate version of a bill to ban tobacco sales within 300 feet of a school would allow existing, licensed stores to keep tobacco sales.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Bill to allow lawsuits against gun manufacturers narrowly advances to the Senate
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, cleared the House of Representatives last night by a 4-vote margin, with at least 6 Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Maine lawmakers endorse higher tax brackets for wealthier residents
Both the House and Senate this week passed a bill that lowers state income taxes for low- and middle-wage earners.
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