Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.
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PublishedNovember 18, 2020
Portland to begin hand recount of short-term rental referendum ballots Thursday
A city spokesperson predicted it would take three full days, at an estimated cost of $15,000 to the city, to conduct the recount.
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PublishedNovember 16, 2020
Portland council delays vote on Munjoy Hill historic district
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.
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PublishedNovember 16, 2020
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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PublishedNovember 16, 2020
Homelessness in Portland approaching record levels
The increased numbers come as efforts to create more temporary and permanent shelter space remain in flux.
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PublishedNovember 12, 2020
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.
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PublishedNovember 11, 2020
Portland approves USM’s $100 million plan for dorm, student center
The Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the project on Tuesday night.
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PublishedNovember 10, 2020
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.
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PublishedNovember 10, 2020
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.
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PublishedNovember 9, 2020
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.
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PublishedNovember 6, 2020
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.
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