Portland is still searching for ways to provide basic needs to unsheltered homeless people after a 2-week protest at City Hall disbanded.
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
Debate heats up over public health versus police spending in Portland
Over the past decade, spending on police has increased by nearly 40%, while the public health budget has dropped by more than 50%. But city officials say those numbers don’t reflect additional investments in social services.
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Posted inLocal & State
Portland seeks applicants to address systemic racism
The deadline to apply for a position on the Racial Equity Steering Committee is noon on Aug. 31.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Portland council approves make-up of charter commission
The commission will have 3 appointed and 9 elected members, but an election date has not been set.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland city manager calls for cutting 65 positions to avoid tax hike
Jon Jennings’ $202 million budget proposal is $4.2 million less than the current budget and would reduce the tax rate by a penny per $1,000 valuation, despite a 4% increase in county taxes.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Portland councilors approve $14 million in low-income housing incentives
Most of the units will be restricted to households making less than 60 percent of area median income.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland officials try to help City Hall campers get shelter as storm bears down
The remnants of a hurricane highlight the need to address the encampment at City Hall, which has grown since a few people first pitched tents last month.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Portland councilors approve ban on facial recognition technology
After delaying the vote numerous times since Councilor Pious Ali proposed it in November, the council votes unanimously and with little explanation.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland homeless encampment elicits sympathy, frustration
Some taxpayers say it shouldn’t be up to Portland alone to provide services for people in need, while others see the desperation of those living on the street as a failure of local leadership.
Posted inLocal & State
Morgan Locklear: Fiance stays at encampment because he uses medical marijuana
‘I just want to find a place with all of us under one roof, so we can raise our kids and they can be happy.’