City officials hope the agreement will help rein in growing overtime costs.
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
City of Portland’s overtime spending jumps 8%
Most of the extra $400,000 was paid to firefighters, but the city hopes a new union contract will reverse the trend.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Libbytown evictions add to concerns about housing turnover in Portland
The residents of five units must make way for needed repairs, the new landlord says, but Portland inspectors find no serious problems there.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Eviction case in Portland elicits calls for safeguards
City officials and legal advocates say tenants need to be protected from the effects of the housing crisis, but landlords warn against overreacting.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
As brewery tasting rooms thrive in Greater Portland, traditional bars in a froth
Makers of craft beers are accumulating revenue – and new fans – by selling their product where it’s brewed. But questions of fairness could prompt some changes.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland landlord agrees to give tenants more time on evictions
John Le says that, for now, he won’t ask a court to force out the dozen or so people still at 61-69 Grant St., as Portland officials work to find them new homes.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Nonprofit searching for homes for evicted tenants of Portland apartment complex
Most of the dozen or so residents still living at the Grant Street complex are indigent, mentally ill, or both.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Landlord says poor conditions, drug activity led to mass eviction from Portland apartments
AEG Holdings says it wants to upgrade the Grant Street complex and make it safer, as some city councilors call for stronger tenant protections.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Demand for housing in Portland leads to mass eviction in Parkside
A company that plans to renovate a Grant Street apartment complex is forcing out dozens of tenants, many low-income or mentally disabled, into ‘a very high-priced market.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland councilors face decision on fate of historic waterfront building
The City Council will hold a hearing Wednesday before voting on whether a Portland Co. complex building should be preserved or removed to allow public access to the waterfront.