Campaign and other posters can now be in public ways for 12 weeks a year, a benefit to some and a blight to others.
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, Politics
Portland assistant city manager may be leaving after 3 months
Mona Bector would say only that she is in transition, and a city spokeswoman has said she plans to provide information about Bector’s employment status Thursday.
advertisement
Posted inMaine, News
Fear about putting immigrants at risk delays action on non-citizen voting rights
Portland city councilors decide to take more time to address concerns that extending voting rights to some non-citizens could put them at risk of being targeted.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Council puts off giving non-citizens right to vote in Portland municipal elections
After 2 hours of public testimony, the Portland City Council votes to refer Councilor Pious Ali’s proposal to a committee for additional work after several groups raise concerns about privacy and unintended consequences.
Posted inMaine, News
Munjoy Hill conservation district to face test from developer
Tim Wells wants approval to demolish a Montreal Street house that meets the city’s criteria for preservation.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Portland school board says city’s voters should be asked to extend voting rights to non-citizens
The city charter amendment would apply only to municipal elections and to residents who are in the country legally, but critics say the change would still violate state law.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland school board to vote on support for noncitizen voting
The board will consider a resolution Tuesday that would support a proposal to allow noncitizens like refugees or asylum seekers to vote in local elections.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Portland police recruitment drive pays off with addition of 12 new officers to the force
It’s the largest single class of recruits in about 20 years, and the interim chief credits a full-time recruitment officer’s aggressive use of social media and other outreach.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland considers fee increase up to 400% for owners of short-term rental properties
Mayor Ethan Strimling’s plan to raise fees will be discussed Tuesday at a public hearing and committee meeting.
Posted inMaine, News
Couple will rebuild where blaze killed 6 on Noyes Street in 2014
They plan a duplex on the lot, plus a tribute to the victims of a calamity that stunned Portland and led to a landlord’s conviction on a fire code violation.