Workers in Portland talk about why they deserve a 50 percent bump in pay during the pandemic and what the additional money would mean to them.
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 inBusiness, Maine, News
Employers grapple with hazard wage: Some pay, others don’t
Amid a legal challenge, large employers take widely different approaches to a hazard pay provision in the Portland’s new minimum wage ordinance.
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Posted inMaine, News
Portland to form rental board, enforce rent limits as it carries out citizen initiatives
City officials release part of their plan to implement five ballot measures that were approved by voters Nov. 3 and take effect Sunday.
Posted inMaine, News
Activists, business community await Portland’s plans to implement ballot measures
City officials said they will release implementation plans next week just as the voter-approved ordinances take effect.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland council continues private meetings with attorney
Monday’s executive session was the third time councilors huddled with their attorney outside of public view to discuss varying interpretations – and the legal risks for each – of five voter-approved ordinances.
Posted inMaine
State to demolish part of historic train trestle in Portland
The span, which is visible from Interstate 295, has been eyed by both trail and rail advocates but has fallen into ‘critical’ condition after being damaged by fire in 1984, according to the state.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Local Elections, Maine, News, Uncategorized
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.
Posted inMaine, News
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.
Posted inMaine, 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.’
Posted inMaine
Homelessness in Portland approaching record levels
The increased numbers come as efforts to create more temporary and permanent shelter space remain in flux.