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.
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PublishedMay 23, 2017
Portland city budget omits aid for some asylum seekers
As many as 180 are subject to a law limiting state assistance to 24 months, and officials hope the Legislature can fix the issue.
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PublishedMay 22, 2017
Mayor Strimling wants a citizen task force to define his role, powers
But city councilors say two legal opinions have already done that. The mayor also says he won’t carry through on his threat to veto the city budget over the loss of the mayor’s assistant job.
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PublishedMay 22, 2017
Portland citizens group seeks referendum on rent control, other tenant protections
Members of the new group want to curb practices affecting renters in the city’s tight housing market, but similar efforts have failed.
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PublishedMay 18, 2017
For first workers on Portland Opportunity Crew, a hot, dirty job sure beats panhandling
The city-run pilot program begins with two men who say they are grateful for the minimum-wage jobs.
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PublishedMay 16, 2017
Portland Mayor Strimling says he may veto budget over council’s vote to cut his assistant
It would be the first use of the mayor’s veto power since the position was created in 2010.
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PublishedMay 15, 2017
After emotional debate, Portland council eliminates position for mayor’s assistant
Councilors vote 6-3 to drop the job in the next fiscal-year budget, saying it has upset constituents and impeded council-mayor collaboration.
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PublishedMay 15, 2017
Portland landowner agrees to remove tiny homes from Bayside, pays fine
He’d hoped to rent out the houses that sat on trailers that he’d set up without permits in a Bayside parking lot.
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PublishedMay 12, 2017
Poliquin defends health care vote, says he won’t advocate for or against monument
In a TV interview, Maine’s 2nd District congressman says the American Health Care Act would eliminate taxes and ensure coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
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PublishedMay 12, 2017
Portland council may eliminate mayor’s assistant post, but not without a fight
Political supporters of Mayor Ethan Strimling are mobilizing to resist a proposal to cut the position from the budget when the council meets Monday.
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PublishedMay 8, 2017
Portland councilor: Use funding for mayor’s aide to hire waterfront manager instead
The $69,000 proposed for the special assistant would instead help pay for a manager to oversee the city’s waterfront properties, cruise ship business and concert activities.
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