The City Council vows to focus on affordable housing, homelessness, easing the property tax burden and improving public transportation over the next year.
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 inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Portland moves forward with plans to build temporary waterfront park
The proposal scales back an ambitious plan to create a $16 million destination waterfront park, originally called Portland Landing, that has drawn criticism from some in the city.
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Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Most ethics complaints from Portland’s bruising mayoral race are dropped
Unite Portland, a political action committee that opposed Ethan Strimling’s re-election as mayor, is still expecting to pay fines for being late to file independent expenditure reports.
Posted inLocal & State, News
New mayor, councilor take office in Portland, marking a couple of firsts
Newly elected Mayor Kate Snyder and City Councilors Tae Chong and Pious Ali are sworn in at City Hall during a ceremony highlighting diversity.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Inauguration of Portland mayor reflects historic shift in local, national politics
Portland has had eight women serve as mayor in its 233-year history, but none had been elected mayor in a citywide vote until Kate Snyder’s victory last month.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
In fundraising appeal, Strimling takes swipes at Collins
As he pursues a complaint over his failed Portland mayoral re-election bid, his ties to a liberal group and the implications for the U.S. senator aren’t clear.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland moves to share asylum-seeker funds with community groups
The city has invited organizations that helped support hundreds of asylum seekers during the summer to apply for some of the nearly $1 million donated to help the migrant families.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Developer seeks permit to begin ambitious redevelopment on Portland waterfront
Portland Foreside Development Co. is proposing a new office building, the renovation of seven historic buildings, a public plaza and other retail, restaurant and residential uses on three development blocks at 58 Fore St.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Deer Isle arts colony receives $4 million gift, the largest in its history
The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts received the money to establish an endowment to preserve its campus overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Portland’s facilities accommodate newly arrived asylum seekers
City officials say they were able to handle the 28 people without having to open any overflow gymnasiums.