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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PublishedMarch 17, 2024
Maine Legislature’s use of vague ‘concept bills’ has risen dramatically
Placeholder bills buy time to finalize details of legislation, but some significant and controversial proposals are only revealed at the last minute.
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PublishedMarch 13, 2024
Effort to elect presidents using popular vote gains ground in Maine
The Maine Senate votes in support of a multistate plan to sidestep the Electoral College by pledging to support presidential candidates who win the national popular vote.
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PublishedMarch 13, 2024
Lawmakers take up gun bills, focus on waiting periods, background checks
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee holds a work session on a series of bills that include a proposal from Gov. Janet Mills to expand background checks and update the state’s yellow flag law.
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PublishedMarch 12, 2024
Maine may tax Netflix and other streaming subscriptions
A $20 a month subscription fee would have $1.10 in tax added to it. Half of U.S. states are already applying a similar tax on subscriptions to Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
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PublishedMarch 12, 2024
Threats, evacuations lead to calls for more security at Maine Capitol
Lawmakers are proposing a new security screening center and additional staff amid growing concerns about political violence.
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PublishedMarch 8, 2024
Maine expects another $108 million in surplus revenues
The new revenue forecast brings the projected surplus to nearly $373 million over the next 2 years and is likely to increase pressure on lawmakers to make more investments to help struggling Mainers.
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PublishedMarch 7, 2024
Physicians, gun owners, activists pack Maine State House for hearing on gun reform
Dozens of people testified for and against a pair of bills that include expanding background check requirements to advertised private firearms sales and a 72-hour waiting period on purchases.
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PublishedMarch 5, 2024
House backs bill to pledge Maine’s electoral votes to national popular winner
The bill would have Maine join a compact with other states to allocate Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote for president, even if its contrary to the wishes of local voters.
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PublishedMarch 5, 2024
Democrats launch push to pass gun safety bills in response to Lewiston shooting
Public hearings begin on gun safety bills that would ban bump stocks, institute a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases and expand background checks to advertised private sales.
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PublishedMarch 4, 2024
Mental health funding bill draws broad support at Maine State House
Nobody testified against House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross’ proposal to invest at least $17.5 million in mental health crisis services.
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