Also Monday, the council selected Nathan Szanton and the Maine Cooperative Development Partners to build 108 units of housing at the former West School in Libbytown.
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 councilors huddle with lawyer, proceed with caution on citizen initiatives
Councilors again met privately with the city’s lawyer about how to implement a suite of new ordinances approved by voters, including rent control and a ‘Green New Deal for Portland.’
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Posted inLocal & State
Homelessness in Portland approaching record levels
The increased numbers come as efforts to create more temporary and permanent shelter space remain in flux.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Employers warned that Portland’s stance on hazard pay could expose them to lawsuits
Labor lawyers and the Chamber of Commerce say the city’s position that time-and-a-half pay during emergencies won’t take effect until 2022 might trigger challenges.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland approves USM’s $100 million plan for dorm, student center
The Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the project on Tuesday night.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
City says it won’t enforce emergency wage for Portland workers until 2022
Officials’ interpretation of the minimum wage ordinance approved by 62% of voters last week runs contrary to organizers’ intent, their attorney says.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local Elections, Politics, Uncategorized
Portland activists request recount on short-term rental referendum
Question E on Portland’s municipal ballot, which would prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, lost by only 222 votes, only proposal defeated by voters on Nov. 3.
Posted inLocal & State
Affordable housing developers plan to move forward, despite Portland’s Green New Deal
Teams including Avesta Housing and the Szanton Co. both are looking to develop 90 or more housing units in Libbytown.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
City questioning whether new minimum wage takes effect in December as expected
The confusion about whether it takes effect next month or in January 2022 stems from the wording of the ordinance.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Progressive wave sweeps through Portland election
Portland is a Democratic stronghold, but progressives have had trouble advancing their policies through the City Council. This time they took it straight to the voters and won.