She is the first Republican senator to support the measure, but Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has so far blocked the bill from coming to a vote.
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, News
Council committee decides migrants’ initial housing costs a priority for donation fund
The matter of how to spend $870,000 in private donations for asylum seekers in Portland will go before the full City Council in August.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News
Immigrant leaders in Portland say migrants will accept available housing
That appears to be a shift since Tuesday, when city staffers said housing offers outside Portland had been repeatedly turned down.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland intensifies effort to find housing for asylum seekers who remain at Expo
As a political battle over mixed messaging continues, city leaders try to clear up confusion that may have caused some migrant families to turn down housing offers outside Portland.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Uncategorized
Portland will debate spending $800,000 in donations for asylum seekers
City staff recommends using some of the money to help pay for costs of running the temporary emergency shelter at the Expo, but immigrant advocates warn that such a use would be contrary to the intent of donors.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Justin Costa drops out of Portland mayoral race
The city councilor urges voters to support the two other challengers taking on incumbent Mayor Ethan Strimling.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Neighbors gear up to fight plan for 40 homes, preserve green space in Maine’s largest city
Residents in the area near Morrill’s Corner in Portland are mobilizing against the project, which needs a zoning change similar to one rejected by the City Council in 2006.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland Mayor Strimling announces $102,000 fundraising haul for re-election bid
Other candidates have raised significant funds, too, with City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau saying he’s nearly matched the $60,000 the mayor has raised since January.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
New law is aimed at easing burden of homelessness on Portland
But the president of the Maine Welfare Directors Association doesn’t believe Sen. Ben Chipman’s bill will have much of an impact on service center communities such as Portland and Bangor.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland-area residents line up to host migrant families from Africa
Creating a homestay program is one avenue being pursued as officials try to move families of asylum seekers out of the Expo shelter.