He has a track record of supporting firefighters at the state level, the union says.
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, Politics
Challengers take aim at Brennan in first debate of Portland’s mayoral campaign
Former state Sen. Ethan Strimling and Green Independent Party leader Thomas MacMillan criticize Mayor Michael Brennan’s leadership and policy positions.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Campaign for $15-per-hour minimum wage kicks off in Portland
Question 1 on the city’s Nov. 3 ballot will ask voters whether they support raising pay for all workers.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland Planning Board chair hired to lead city’s planning division
Stuart ‘Tuck’ O’Brien arrives as the city is recertifying its comprehensive plan with the state and is handling a rise in market-rate housing projects.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Study: Affordable housing requirements don’t stifle development, raise rents
A Massachusetts think tank says zoning rules similar to those being discussed in Portland can prevent ‘housing segregation’ in hot real estate markets.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland public works director on paid leave, will resign
The city says the departure of Mike Bobinsky, after 12 years, is ‘mutual and amicable.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine mayors develop $2 million plan to fight drug addiction
The idea for eight pilot projects statewide to attack the heroin and painkiller epidemic will be presented to state Department of Health and Human Services this week.
Posted inBusiness, Life & Culture, Local & State, News
Music promoter raises prospect of installing cover at Maine State Pier
Portland city councilors hear about Waterfront Concerts’ idea of covering the pier to give audiences a better experience and address neighbors’ noise concerns.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland council votes again to approve tax deal for affordable housing in West End
The 7-2 vote – identical to the council’s vote last month – will allow Avesta Housing to use 65 percent of the development’s property taxes to operate the building at 17 Carleton St.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland uses courts to enforce housing safety rules
Some landlords are surprised as the city gets serious about issuing summonses and fines to ensure code violations are fixed.