The City Council voted 5-4 to send a measure to increase the city’s minimum wage to the ballot. Opponents say the proposal could cause layoffs and closures, while supporters contend that the growing cost of living in the city has made it impossible to make ends meet.
Grace Benninghoff
Staff Writer
Grace covers city hall and Greater Portland for the Press Herald. She previously covered reproductive health for Texas Monthly and served as the local host of All Things Considered at Vermont Public. Before moving to Maine, Grace attended Columbia Journalism School in New York City and spent many years in Colorado and Oregon working in the non-profit sector. When she isn't reporting you can find her trail-running with her dog Loma, practicing her Spanish, surfing, or making pottery.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland voters will decide on a $19 minimum wage this November
The City Council voted 5-4 to send a measure to increase the city’s minimum wage to the ballot. Opponents say the proposal could cause layoffs and closures, while supporters contend that the growing cost of living in the city has made it impossible to make ends meet.
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Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine, News
Large coal pile on Portland waterfront could be removed by 2030
The City Council voted Monday night to require all such piles be covered by 2027 and removed by 2030. The Sprague Energy coal pile is the only one in the city that would be affected.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland businesses share concerns as City Council considers $20 minimum wage
Supporters say pay hasn’t kept up with the cost of living, while opponents say they would have to lay off staff to account for the increase and note that voters shot down a similar proposal in 2022.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor says city may not be required to work with ICE, despite federal grant terms
Mark Dion says a temporary injunction bars the federal government from making cooperation with immigration officials a condition for funding airport upgrades.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland City Council weighs whether to accept grant funds that would require ICE cooperation
The council called an emergency meeting for Wednesday night to decide how to proceed with the grants, which are intended to support infrastructure projects at Portland International Jetport.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland Housing Authority executive director resigns after 2 years
Brian Frost stepped down July 31 and a permanent successor is expected to be hired by Jan. 2.
Posted inMaine
Portland’s Social Housing Task Force holds inaugural meeting
The task force gathered on Monday night to elect 2 co-chairs and begin discussions about how the city might own and manage housing for its middle class residents.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland land trust loses bid for Hope Avenue property; land could still be developed
Titan Funding, which loaned about $1.5 million to the original developer, outbid a nonprofit that hopes to preserve the land.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland Land Bank Commission backs bid for North Deering land once eyed for condos
The commission and the Trust for Public Land hope to preserve the 13.3-acre parcel off Hope Avenue, which went into foreclosure and goes up for auction Friday.