A group that includes landlords and building contractors says it will oppose a referendum effort to pass a rent stabilization ordinance.
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 inBusiness, Local & State, News
Affordable housing in the works for East Bayside, East Deering
The Portland Housing Authority is poised to file plans for 2 projects totaling more than 155 units of housing.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Error kept 2 citizens initiatives off Portland ballot; another may put them on it
A 2011 change to an ordinance requiring the City Council to hold a public hearing on any citizens initiative at least 90 days before the election apparently wasn’t properly enacted.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Activists rally at Portland City Hall to push for November ballot initiatives
One group says it was told its rent-stabilization initiative would go to a vote in November, but city officials would not confirm it.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Developer aims to address need for affordable housing with new apartments in Parkside
Avesta Housing’s $10 million Deering Place would be available to residents with incomes of $20,000 to $40,000, a response to affordability concerns in Portland’s red hot real estate market.
Posted inLocal & State, News
After error, Portland officials look for ways to get housing questions on November ballot
The city clerk’s office gave incorrect information to citizens’ groups, derailing drives for referendum votes this fall on rent stabilization and rezoning procedures.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Error by City Clerk’s Office will keep 2 housing initiatives off Portland’s November ballot
Officials didn’t allow enough time for a public hearing 90 days before the election, so votes on rent control and zoning changes can’t occur on Nov. 7, angering activists.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Housing activists get enough signatures to prompt vote on limiting Portland rent increases
Fair Rent Portland will announce Monday that it has more than enough signatures to get its rent stabilization proposal on the November ballot.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Progressive Portland gives $20,000 to 4-school renovation campaign
The contribution gives a major financial boost to the drive to pass a $64 million bond to refurbish Reiche, Lyseth, Longfellow and Presumpscot schools.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland woman living in condemned building died of heart attack, medical examiner says
‘Maggie’ Peters, who had struggled with homelessness, was forced to live in shabby conditions after being evicted from her previous apartment so it could be renovated to allow higher rents.