The city says it will need to pull nearly $9 million from its rainy day fund to maintain social services and still mitigate tax increases in the wake of federal and state funding cuts. The city also passed a Vision Zero plan in an effort to improve pedestrian safety.
Grace Benninghoff
Staff Writer
Grace covers city hall and Greater Portland for the Press Herald. She previously covered reproductive health for Texas Monthly and served as the local host of All Things Considered at Vermont Public. Before moving to Maine, Grace attended Columbia Journalism School in New York City and spent many years in Colorado and Oregon working in the non-profit sector. When she isn't reporting you can find her trail-running with her dog Loma, practicing her Spanish, surfing, or making pottery.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill would allow people to register their cars in Maine without a permanent address
The Maine Department of the Secretary of State supports the bill, saying an increasing number of people are being turned away from their municipality over the issue.
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Posted inLocal & State
Portland City Council divided over how to respond to Trump orders
Some councilors want resolutions condemning actions against DEI and the immigrant and transgender communities, while the mayor and others are wary of making Portland a target.
Posted inLocal & State
A new Portland tenants union wants to help monitor for rent control violations
The Portland Tenants Union wants to see the city better enforce its rent control ordinance, even as city staffing and proactive enforcement have increased.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Netflix founder donates $50 million to Bowdoin to study AI
The donation from alumnus Reed Hastings is the largest ever given to the Brunswick college.
Posted inLocal & State
Redesign of Portland’s Congress Square Park may resume this summer
The city has put out a request for bids to finish the project after it cut ties with the first contractor in 2023.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland City Council establishes social housing task force
The group, which will be appointed by the mayor, will explore how to establish middle-income housing that would be owned, operated and managed by the city.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland reports significant success in needle buyback program
The pilot program, though only 8 weeks old, has resulted in more used needles being returned to the city’s health department and fewer found on the streets.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Portland code enforcement officer charged with assault, put on leave
Matthew Sarapas was arrested by Portland police last week and charged with assault and unlawful sexual touching.
Posted inLocal & State
What would a ‘Vision Zero’ plan do to stop traffic deaths in Portland?
After a series of deadly crashes, the public has called for the city do more to ensure safer streets for residents and visitors. But city leaders say that work is already in progress and takes time.