The council issued a formal explanation to Maine’s top court for why it required a proposal to create a local clean elections program to be reviewed first by a charter commission, rather than sending it to the ballot.
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
Portland mayor appoints panel to guide search for city manager
Mayor Kate Snyder will lead the committee, which will include three city councilors.
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Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Portland ballot question would limit size of new homeless shelters
The citizen referendum, which asks voters to choose one of two policies or none of them, is in response to the city’s plan to build a 208-bed homeless services center.
Posted inLocal & State
Freeport family gives $500,000 to SMCC’s nursing program
The gift will allow Southern Maine Community College to train more nursing students and help address a critical nursing shortage in Maine, the college said.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland charter commission delves into balance of power between elected mayor and city manager
In a meeting this week, former Portland mayors shared their thoughts on the challenges of the job and how the elected position could be improved.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, Politics
Toxic politics taking its toll on Portland’s public servants
The tension that has been building in recent years between an energized, aggressive progressive movement and more moderate city officials seems to have spiked in the last week.
Posted inLocal & State
Advocates of smaller shelters say their referendum could force Portland to shrink its current plan
A lawyer for opponents of the city’s planned 208-bed homeless services center in Riverton threatens a lawsuit if city officials say that referendum votes can’t scale back the plan.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Climate change, racial equity among the issues in Portland’s District 2 race
A political newcomer is taking on a longtime Portland resident and former elected official for a seat on the Portland City Council representing the West End and Parkside.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Affordability, homelessness animate Portland City Council District 1 race
Two candidates are running to replace City Councilor Belinda Ray, who is not seeking a third term.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Competition fierce for an at-large seat on Portland City Council
All four candidates cite voters’ worries about the city’s increasing lack of affordability, especially in housing.