Over the past decade, spending on police has increased by nearly 40%, while the public health budget has dropped by more than 50%. But city officials say those numbers don’t reflect additional investments in social services.
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, Uncategorized
Portland councilors approve $14 million in low-income housing incentives
Most of the units will be restricted to households making less than 60 percent of area median income.
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Posted inMaine
Portland officials try to help City Hall campers get shelter as storm bears down
The remnants of a hurricane highlight the need to address the encampment at City Hall, which has grown since a few people first pitched tents last month.
Posted inMaine
Portland homeless encampment elicits sympathy, frustration
Some taxpayers say it shouldn’t be up to Portland alone to provide services for people in need, while others see the desperation of those living on the street as a failure of local leadership.
Posted inMaine
Cody Taylor: Had early experience with homelessness
‘I will be supporting these people until we get these demands met.’
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor listens to protesters’ stories of homelessness
The testimony of several individuals who struggle with homelessness had an impact on Mayor Kate Snyder, who sat with the city’s fire chief and several city councilors to listen to the protesters.
Posted inMaine
Portland mayor will meet with City Hall campers who have a host of demands
Portland Mayor Kate Snyder wants to listen, but protesters want action, and they say they plan to stay in the plaza until their demands are met.
Posted inMaine, News
City Hall campers vow to stay until demands are met
Portland closed the building Monday, and discussed the encampment during a workshop Monday night.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Wave of evictions expected as courts reopen, assistance and protections expire
Thousands of evictions could be filed when hearings resume Aug. 3, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition is building a database to help inform policymakers.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
For thousands of unemployed Mainers, the system isn’t working
A historic wave of unemployment claims and a flood of fraudulent filings conspired with technology problems and staffing woes to create delays and headaches for people seeking benefits.