The bill, sponsored by Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, was filed before a Republican lawmaker posted photos of a transgender student athlete that went viral on social media last month.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
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.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, Politics
US attorney general threatens Gov. Mills with lawsuit over transgender athletes
‘Maine should be on notice,’ Pam Bondi said in a letter to the Maine governor over compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order on transgender students competing in school sports.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Legislature remains deadlocked on $121 million supplemental budget
The House OKs the proposal on a party-line vote with Republicans opposed, meaning the budget would not take effect immediately, potentially delaying payments to hospitals for care provided to MaineCare patients.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
The making of a moment: How Janet Mills became a foil for Donald Trump
Janet Mills, who has a long history of facing tough guys in the courtroom and in politics, finds herself in an unprecedented moment with the nation watching.
Posted inPolitics
Q&A: Can Trump withhold federal funds? Do other states allow transgender athletes to play school sports?
Here are a few things to know about Maine’s policy on transgender athletes and President Trump’s threat to withhold federal funds if the state doesn’t make changes.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Sports
Trump administration orders investigation after Gov. Mills publicly defies president over transgender policy
‘See you in court,’ Gov. Janet Mills told President Donald Trump during a heated exchange at an assembly of governors at the White House.
Posted inNews, Politics
Angus King tells Senate colleagues, ‘We’ve got to wake up.’
In a speech on the Senate floor, King says America faces a ‘constitutional crisis’ and challenges Republicans to take a stand rather than rely on the courts to stop constitutional overreach, calling that ‘a cop-out’ and ‘an abdication of our responsibility.’
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Susan Collins votes no as Kash Patel narrowly wins confirmation as FBI chief
Maine’s Republican senator cited Patel’s ‘aggressive political activity’ as one reason for her opposition and Democrats warned that Patel had vowed to seek revenge against anti-Trump conspirators.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, News, Politics
Susan Collins’ reelection bid already shaping up to be a pivotal — and very expensive — race
One national political forecaster says the 2026 race will likely be a toss-up, but for now, Maine’s senior senator looks to have an initial advantage because of her historical crossover appeal, which will be tested in Trump’s second term.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Former Elon Musk worker challenges Susan Collins for US Senate
Phillip Rench, a 37-year-old former engineer for SpaceX, has filed paperwork to run as an independent against Maine’s senior senator.