A proposed ordinance rejected by the city’s Planning Board may have enough support from councilors to become law.
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
Despite LePage remark, ‘sanctuary city’ label doesn’t fit Portland, officials say
The designation generally means local police are instructed to not cooperate with federal immigration officials, but Portland has no such policy.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland hires housing safety official
The position, created after a deadly fire on Noyes Street, will coordinate housing inspections in the city.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland will consider bikes and pedestrians in forums
Bayside, West Commercial Street, Tukey’s Bridge and Martin’s Point are under the microscope in public transportation discussions this week.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawmaker ‘booted’ in Portland lot wants to regulate parking companies statewide
Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn calls for fuller disclosure of enforcement policies after he had to pay $70 to have his vehicle released.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Latest court ruling allows Portland panhandlers to stay on street medians
The city’s attempt to ban people from standing on the medians is again deemed unconstitutional, this time by a federal appeals judge.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Booting of cars in parking company’s lots kicks up a storm in Portland
The private firm has opened up thousands of spaces, but critics say its enforcement practices and fees are predatory and tarnish the city in the eyes of visitors.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland residents can use up blue trash bags before switching to pricier purple
City councilors reverse an earlier decision requiring residents to use up or trade in the blue leftovers for the more expensive bags by Oct. 4.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mayor Brennan touts minimum wage as ‘historic’ and ‘a significant step forward’
It’s unclear how many workers in Portland would be affected by the city’s minimum wage increase.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland council keeps tipped workers’ base wage at $3.75
Voting 7-2, the councilors reverse a previous decision that inadvertently raised the rate to $6.35 an hour.