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 4, 2020
Portland councilors approve $14 million in low-income housing incentives
Most of the units will be restricted to households making less than 60 percent of area median income.
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PublishedAugust 4, 2020
Portland officials try to help City Hall campers get shelter as storm bears down
The remnants of a hurricane highlight the need to address the encampment at City Hall, which has grown since a few people first pitched tents last month.
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PublishedAugust 2, 2020
Portland homeless encampment elicits sympathy, frustration
Some taxpayers say it shouldn’t be up to Portland alone to provide services for people in need, while others see the desperation of those living on the street as a failure of local leadership.
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PublishedAugust 2, 2020
Cody Taylor: Had early experience with homelessness
‘I will be supporting these people until we get these demands met.’
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PublishedJuly 29, 2020
Portland mayor listens to protesters’ stories of homelessness
The testimony of several individuals who struggle with homelessness had an impact on Mayor Kate Snyder, who sat with the city’s fire chief and several city councilors to listen to the protesters.
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PublishedJuly 28, 2020
Portland mayor will meet with City Hall campers who have a host of demands
Portland Mayor Kate Snyder wants to listen, but protesters want action, and they say they plan to stay in the plaza until their demands are met.
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PublishedJuly 27, 2020
City Hall campers vow to stay until demands are met
Portland closed the building Monday, and discussed the encampment during a workshop Monday night.
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PublishedJuly 21, 2020
Wave of evictions expected as courts reopen, assistance and protections expire
Thousands of evictions could be filed when hearings resume Aug. 3, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition is building a database to help inform policymakers.
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PublishedJuly 12, 2020
For thousands of unemployed Mainers, the system isn’t working
A historic wave of unemployment claims and a flood of fraudulent filings conspired with technology problems and staffing woes to create delays and headaches for people seeking benefits.
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PublishedJuly 12, 2020
Unemployment snafus leave three lives in limbo
Three personal tales reveal serious flaws in Maine’s system for filing and paying claims.
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