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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PublishedNovember 12, 2019
Portland councilors must decide how many homeless people new shelter can hold
The City Council has to set the capacity so the shelter can be designed, but advocates for the homeless fear the city could abandon its 30-year commitment to taking in anyone in need of shelter.
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PublishedNovember 9, 2019
High-priced housing market is squeezing low-income renters
Residents of The Woodwinds are the latest tenants in the Portland area to feel the pressure exerted by rent increases, a development boom and a lack of affordable housing.
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PublishedNovember 6, 2019
On the day after, Portland’s mayor-elect reflects on a win that surprised even herself
Kate Snyder says in a Q&A with the Portland Press Herald that she’s already making plans to meet with city councilors and the city manager to begin the transition to her new full-time job.
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PublishedNovember 5, 2019
Kate Snyder wins heated race for Portland mayor, unseating incumbent Ethan Strimling
After taking a commanding lead, the former school board chair wins a late-night ranked-choice runoff.
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PublishedOctober 29, 2019
Ethics commission to take up complaints in Portland mayoral race after election
But its executive director said that a PAC formed to oppose Mayor Ethan Strimling’s re-election was late to file reports and could face over $7,000 in fines, while a complaint against Strimling’s campaign was unsubstantiated.
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PublishedOctober 28, 2019
Portland mayoral candidates hitting fundraising records
Three of the 4 contenders have raised almost $360,000 combined, and 2 have significant cash on hand to get their messages out during the final week of the campaign.
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PublishedOctober 25, 2019
Portland mayoral candidates tout their endorsements as Election Day nears
The 4 candidates highlight the support of various backers in city politics, business, arts and education circles.
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PublishedOctober 22, 2019
Portland council designates 5 historical landmarks on Forest Avenue
Councilors focused preservation efforts on buildings near Woodfords Corner rather than approving a staff proposal to preserve others between the corner and Interstate 295.
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PublishedOctober 22, 2019
Portland voters will decide whether to open up city government to major changes
Several councilors say they don’t want a charter commission but felt legally obligated to put it to voters in response to a petition by supporters of a taxpayer-funded clean elections program.
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PublishedOctober 18, 2019
Thibodeau endorsed by 11 former mayors, including 3 who supported Strimling in last election
The announcement comes late in a heated mayoral campaign, with incumbent Ethan Strimling’s campaign trading ethics complaints with a Portland political action committee formed to oppose his re-election.
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