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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PublishedFebruary 6, 2024
Lawmakers receive active shooter training after Lewiston shooting, State House threats
The first-of-its kind training will be supplemented by increased security in the Burton Cross Office building next to the State House and a new mobile phone app to send alerts about threats in the Capitol complex.
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PublishedFebruary 5, 2024
U.S. Senate border security bill includes faster work permits for asylum seekers
Maine’s congressional delegation has been pushing to let asylum seekers work sooner, although the prospects appear dim for the bipartisan Senate bill that contains Sen. Susan Collins’ provision on speeding up work permits.
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PublishedFebruary 2, 2024
Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn installed as first woman to lead Maine National Guard
Dunn replaces Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of military service.
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PublishedFebruary 2, 2024
Feds deny request to accelerate work permits for Maine asylum seekers
The state asked for a waiver of the federal six-month waiting period to let asylum seekers go to work, but no such provision exists in federal law.
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PublishedFebruary 1, 2024
Maine Republicans oppose background checks for private gun sales
The governor’s office said Republicans mischaracterized the background check proposal and incorrectly stoked fear that it would lead to a registry of firearm owners.
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PublishedFebruary 1, 2024
Mills administration to study how state pay stacks up against private sector wages
The administration says it has increased wages 24% in the past 5 years, but union leaders say the pay gap has continued to grow.
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PublishedFebruary 1, 2024
Maine governor seeks to navigate treacherous terrain of gun reform
Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal to require background checks for some private firearm sales gives new momentum to an idea that has been defeated multiple times. But political analysts say proponents still will have to overcome Maine’s tradition of hunting and gun ownership.
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PublishedJanuary 30, 2024
8 takeaways from Gov. Mills’ State of State address
The governor is proposing major gun legislation and the establishment of mental health crisis centers in response to the Lewiston mass shootings, as well as investments to increase the resiliency of coastal infrastructure in the wake of recent destructive storms.
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PublishedJanuary 30, 2024
Gov. Mills urges ‘fiscal restraint’ in upcoming budget
She plans to ‘set aside’ $100 million for current spending obligations, while increasing investments to address homelessness, the opioid epidemic and public education.
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PublishedJanuary 29, 2024
Opponents criticize bill to ban paramilitary training in Maine as hate groups rise
If the legislation is approved, Maine would join 26 other states that have responded to an increase in organized domestic extremism with laws banning unauthorized paramilitary training.
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