The legislation, sponsored by the Senate’s assistant majority leader, is likely to be referred to committee Tuesday.
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, News
Portland’s bag fee goes into effect: Will consumers change their behavior?
Some wonder if the city’s 5-cent charge – small compared to other places – will fulfill its aim to spur use of reusable bags and reduce litter.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Portland mayor meets with Gov. LePage to discuss docked shelter payments
Mayor Michael Brennan and the governor discuss their disagreement over General Assistance funding for Portland’s shelters, along with education and workforce issues.
Posted inBusiness, Food, Maine, News
Meats are impounded as Portland area chefs innovate with high-risk processes
Food safety inspectors enforce existing rules, but insiders say they need to catch up with the new techiques.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Health officials suspect food contamination made 22 Portland schoolchildren ill
The children, who all recovered quickly, started throwing up an hour after lunch Tuesday. A pickled beet salad is under suspicion.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland Greens to push for $15 ‘livable wage’ in the city
The group announces it will launch a petition and referendum effort to set the minimum wage at twice the current state minimum wage.
Posted inMaine, News
Some long-term users of Portland shelters had at least $20,000 in bank, audit finds
The state sampling of homeless facilities questions city practices in determining financial eligibility, as the two sides continue to battle over General Assistance levels.
Posted inMaine, News
District attorney: No decision on charges in fatal Portland fire
Stephanie Anderson says an official who said charges are likely was not authorized to comment on the investigation of the Noyes Street blaze.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland heads to appeals court, hoping to salvage its ban on standing in medians
The city will argue Friday that the ordinance does not infringe on free speech by panhandlers or others, but civil rights advocates disagree.
Posted inNews
Maine highway fatalities at 70-year low in 2014
The 128 deaths are the fewest since 1944, according to state police statistics.