Portland is expected to receive more than $46 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act over the next year, but it can only be spent on certain uses.
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 inMaine
Portland councilors eye competing shelter referendum
One councilor is looking to include new shelter licensing rules in a competing proposal, while another is working with constituents to come up with a compromise that will please both the city and concerned residents.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Portland Charter Commission will seek public input at hearing
Commissioners say topics broached at Wednesday’s hearing will likely include the structure of city government, the relationship between city and school leadership, diversity and equity, policing and housing.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Developer proposes 140 senior condos for Deering Center in Portland
Site plans have been filed to build the condominiums for people age 55 and older at the former Catherine McAuley High School campus on Stevens Avenue.
Posted inMaine, News
Communities resuming in-person public meetings, but some pandemic changes could last
With emergency orders and COVID-19-related restrictions expiring, communities throughout the state are returning to in-person meetings, but many still will allow members of the public to participate by video conferencing or phone.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Portland council extends outdoor dining, retail expansions
The festival designation preceded a council vote to end the local pandemic emergency declaration approved in March 2020.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland city councilors affirm support for 200-bed shelter, with referendum looming
The council commits the city to paying $250,000 to the Developers Collaborative to investigate whether a city parcel on Riverside Street can be developed into a homeless service center, even as residents seek a November referendum to block the project.
Posted inMaine
Some Portland residents face sharp rise in tax bills following revaluation
Neighborhoods on the Portland peninsula, such as Munjoy Hill, Bayside and the West End, saw the largest increases in both property values and projected tax bills.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland may soon charge electric-vehicle drivers to plug in, and zap those who stay too long
More communities in Maine and around the country are considering fees for charging stations that initially were free to use, in part to shift the costs from taxpayers to users.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
High court says Portland hazard wage is constitutional, but not effective until 2022
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling means employers in Portland do not have to provide hazard pay to workers even though the city’s emergency declaration remains in effect.