The City Council also votes to delay reconsideration of an ordinance approved earlier this month that inadvertently doubled the base wage for tipped workers.
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, News
Portland council rejects permit for marijuana market in Deering Oaks
In a 5-4 vote, they reverse a previous decision after hearing an ad for the event that suggested pot would be available for use there.
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Posted inLifestyle, Maine, News
Portland City Council to revisit pot festival permit request
The New England Cannabis Farmers Market would run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9 in Deering Oaks.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland ready to cut assistance to 86 immigrants
Those affected may no longer have legal status because they failed to apply for asylum within a year of entering the United States.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Gov. LePage endorses ‘great friend’ Chris Christie for president
The Republican governors tout their no-nonsense styles and greet diners at Becky’s Diner in Portland.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage to fight Portland over asylum seekers money
The governor says a $2.6 million plan to provide help to them is ‘a shell game with taxpayer’s money.’
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Portland poised to continue General Assistance to asylum-seeking immigrants
But councilors appear split over how much aid to provide, who would qualify and how long it might continue at local taxpayers’ expense.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Portland faces decision on costly aid for asylum seekers
As a budget deal in Augusta eliminates public assistance for legal non-citizens who took refuge in Maine, the city must decide if its property taxpayers will foot the bill.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
26 condo units proposed for group of buildings in heart of Old Port
Historic preservation officials respond favorably to an initial look at the plans for the four buildings located at 10 Exchange St.
Posted inMaine, News
LePage helps present grant to Portland nonprofit that aids at-risk youth
State agencies give LearningWorks $350,000 to educate teens and young adults who have dropped out of school.