As expected, Mayor Kate Snyder did not announce any specific policy proposals Monday in her first State of the City address.
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
County offers corrections building as temporary homeless shelter in Portland
The community corrections center can accommodate about 50 people, and the state has agreed to pay for as many as 149 hotel beds as overflow space for the city’s Oxford Street Shelter.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
In a tumultuous first year, Portland’s mayor focuses on collaboration
Kate Snyder gives her first State of the City address remotely Monday after a year upended by the pandemic and protests against racial injustice and homelessness.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland city manager plans to leave at end of one-year contract extension
Jon Jennings told city councilors he would consider only a one-year extension and Mayor Kate Snyder said the council will likely launch a search for a new manager next fall so Jennings’ replacement can start in July 2022.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local Elections, Politics
What is the hotly contested Green New Deal for Portland? Here’s the proposal
Despite its name, the question on Portland’s ballot is unrelated to the national Green New Deal reform package pushed by progressive leaders such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Ballot measure would reduce short-term rentals, increase penalties in Portland
Question E on the Portland ballot would eliminate nonowner-occupied and tenant-occupied short-term rentals in the city and increase registration fees from $100 for the first unit to $1,000 for each unit.
Posted inElection 2020, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland voters to decide on $15 minimum wage, plus hazard pay
The proposal includes time-and-a-half pay for certain workers during a declared emergency – a provision that could raise Portland’s minimum to $18 in December.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland mayor and most councilors announce opposition to 5 referendum questions
Every councilor except Pious Ali is opposing the ballot questions drafted by Southern Maine Democratic Socialists of America, but all are silent on a 6th proposal, to lift a cap on marijuana stores in the city.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Rent control proposal heads to Portland voters again
A similar proposal was rejected by a nearly 2-1 margin in 2017.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections
Portland voters asked to strengthen facial surveillance ban
Question B on the city ballot would add enforcement provisions – including a private right of action for people to sue the city – to an existing prohibition on city employees using facial recognition technology.