They say statements by Maine College of Art officials about Portland’s plan to consolidate social services and public health programs near a proposed dorm reflect classism and disrespect people experiencing homelessness.
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, Schools and Education
Maine College of Art plans dormitory for 180 students in downtown Portland
But the developer and the college are concerned about the city’s plan to move its social services and public health programming to an office building next door.
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Posted inMaine, News
Portland councilors to discuss shelter moratorium in Bayside
The item is being discussed at the request of the association that represents the city neighborhood with the highest concentration of shelter beds and social services.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Bill would impose new fees on vacation homes, short-term rentals
The proposal is generating opposition from real estate agents and tourism officials, who acknowledge Maine’s affordable housing crisis but say a new fee is not the answer.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor rescinds controversial proclamation
The move comes 3 weeks after former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh rescinded a similar proclamation that stirred tensions rooted in a historical conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Restaurants’ complaints lead Portland to look at regulating food delivery services
Two city councilors are drafting a proposal to require third-party food delivery services to have a formal agreement with the restaurants before offering delivery.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Portland public art gets a fresh look through social justice lens
The city’s public art collection will be reviewed to make sure it reflects cultural and racial diversity and social justice, a process known as decolonizing.
Posted inMaine, News
New plan rekindles effort to create park on Portland’s harborfront
The city is receiving pro bono assistance from a team of community leaders who share the vision for public open space on the eastern waterfront.
Posted inMaine, News
Universities to study racial disparity in arrests in Portland, South Portland
USM’s Cutler Institute and Northeastern’s Institute on Race and Justice will study data from each city to determine whether either police department’s law enforcement has been biased against people of color.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland activists, tenants want to join lawsuit and defend rent control
People First Portland and the Foreside Tenant’s Union want to intervene in a lawsuit by the Southern Maine Landlord Association seeking to block implementation of a citizen initiative approved by voters in November.