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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PublishedApril 5, 2017
Portland council starts work on $240 million city budget proposal
City Manager Jon Jennings says that $1.8 million in federal block grant-funded projects could be in jeopardy of funding for the program is cut.
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PublishedApril 5, 2017
Portland manager’s budget would raise property tax by 2.5%
The $240 million budget for the year starting July 1 leaves in question the fate of funding for asylum-seeking immigrants.
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PublishedApril 3, 2017
Tense Black Lives hearing ends in turmoil as judge suddenly withdraws from case
The stunning move by Justice Paul Fritzsche comes after a testy exchange with a defense attorney during a hearing for 17 protesters who were arrested in Portland last summer.
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PublishedMarch 31, 2017
Portland mayor and councilors reach compromise on elementary school improvements
City leaders would place two competing projects on the ballot under a compromise, which would need approval from the council on April 24.
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PublishedMarch 29, 2017
Portland landlords upset by layoff of housing safety official, changes to inspections unit
City Manager Jon Jennings says consolidation of the office, created after a deadly 2014 fire and funded by landlords, is about improving efficiency.
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PublishedMarch 27, 2017
Portland council still at odds on $64 million bond for school renovations
For the second week in a row, the proposal fails to generate enough support to be put on the June ballot.
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PublishedMarch 27, 2017
Portland’s new rules limit short-term rentals, add fees for hosts
The ordinance to take effect Jan. 1 caps the number of short-term units in non-owner-occupied buildings at 300 and requires hosts to pay registration fees.
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PublishedMarch 24, 2017
Portland says more than 100 asylum seekers may be cut off from General Assistance
The city is trying to determine whether it can replace the state aid without violating federal law.
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PublishedMarch 21, 2017
Neither side giving ground in showdown over Portland school bond
The City Council’s 6-3 vote in favor of a $64 million bond to renovate four elementary schools fell one vote short of making the ballot, but the battle has just begun.
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PublishedMarch 20, 2017
Portland’s $64 million school renovation plan falls short of ballot by 1 vote
More than 50 people at a hearing call for borrowing to fix four schools, but three city councilors vote against it.
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