The sponsor of the change wants to make it easier to see who is funding campaigns and how the money is spent in early autumn ‘when it really matters.’
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 inBusiness, Maine
Portland’s growth spurs city to take new look at building convention center
A dramatic increase in hotel space has created demand for a center that could handle as many as 3,000 people, City Manager Jon Jennings says.
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Posted inBusiness, Local Elections, Maine
Candidates decry national Realtors group’s unusual bid to sway Portland election
The National Association of Realtors Fund has spent $7,300 to support a city councilor facing a challenger who previously has advocated for rent control.
Posted inMaine, News
Some balk at Portland’s move to tighten limits on short-term rentals
New requests are put on hold as Portland confronts fast growth and hits ‘the pause button on new non-owner-occupied’ units.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland councilors to hold public hearing on ideas to tighten rules for short-term rentals
The city is considering a host of proposed changes designed to restrict the number of Airbnb-style rentals, which have gained popularity through home-sharing websites.
Posted inElection 2018, Local Elections, Maine, News, Politics
House District 39: Opponent mounts no campaign against Michael Sylvester
Republican Peter Doyle’s name will appear on the ballot but he has not raised or spent money to challenge the incumbent.
Posted inElection 2018, Maine, News, Politics
House District 36: Former Portland mayor seeks return to Legislature as foe keeps low profile
Michael Brennan lays out an ambitious and detailed legislative agenda, and challenger Samuel Ledue says he’s been too busy to campaign.
Posted inElection 2018, Maine, News, Politics
Crystal Canney looks to unseat Benjamin Chipman for state Senate seat
District 27 covers part of Portland and the Casco Bay islands.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Portland mayor wants voters to approve $7 million housing bond
The money could be leveraged to create more than 600 affordable units, Ethan Stimlng says, but some city councilors wonder if borrowing is the best approach.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland adopts moratorium on establishing certain medical marijuana operations
The timeout doesn’t affect existing permit applicants and gives the city’s staff time to develop rules for the structure and location of pot businesses.