It includes a request for a 20-year property tax break worth an estimated $127.8 million to help finance the redevelopment of the former Portland Co. railroad factory.
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, Local & State, News
Solar collective could provide Portland with cheaper, cleaner electricity
A city official estimates that joining a consortium with other large-scale electricity users, such as L.L. Bean and Nestle Waters, could save the city roughly $500,000 a year.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland councilors consider banning rental fees to ease burden on home hunters
Advocates say Portland would be the first city in Maine to bar landlords from charging application fees, which can add hundreds of dollars to an apartment search.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers seek to change law that lets police conceal use of high-tech surveillance
Two Democrats push for transparency after the Maine Sunday Telegram reports that Maine State Police will neither confirm nor deny the use facial recognition scans and other tools.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Identity of Valentine’s Day Phantom is Portland’s most beloved mystery
Those who know won’t say, and those who don’t know want to keep it that way.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine State Police may be spying on you
Privacy advocates worry that law enforcement monitors innocent residents, and Maine is one of only two states that won’t reveal whether it’s using this advanced technology.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland asks court to dismiss lawsuit challenging rejection of clean election initiative
The dispute is over whether a clean elections program can be decided by referendum, or whether the question must go to a charter commission.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Times Record
Portland pays out $141,000 to groups that helped asylum seekers
City officials announce that they are distributing the donations to 11 groups who helped the city accommodate nearly 450 asylum seekers last summer.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland panel to vote on first phase of ambitious waterfront redevelopment
The first phase of the Portland Foreside development includes a mix of new buildings, including the renovation of the remaining historic buildings, one of which is slated to become a public market.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland gets $750,000 federal grant for new waterfront park
Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins announce that the city will receive money to go toward Portland Landing, a $16 million project planned for the eastern waterfront.