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.
-
PublishedJune 26, 2015
Vote to aid asylum seekers puts Portland in rare company
The unusual, possibly unprecedented allocation of $2.6 million defies Maine’s interpretation of federal law.
-
PublishedJune 24, 2015
Portland council votes to continue General Assistance for asylum seekers
The 5-4 vote means the city will continue providing the aid for at least a year despite a cut in state funding.
-
PublishedJune 23, 2015
Portland poised to continue General Assistance to asylum-seeking immigrants
But councilors appear split over how much aid to provide, who would qualify and how long it might continue at local taxpayers’ expense.
-
PublishedJune 23, 2015
‘Midtown’ revisions have developer at odds with Portland officials
The city says that the Federated Cos.’ option to buy land has expired, and that housing, not hotels, is the priority.
-
PublishedJune 22, 2015
Reactions mixed among Portland taxpayers on aid for asylum seekers
At issue is whether the city will continue to make up for the state’s withholding of General Assistance to about 900 people.
-
PublishedJune 20, 2015
Portland threatened with lawsuit over latest ‘midtown’ project demands
The developer objects after being told the purchase agreement for city-owned property earmarked for the project has expired.
-
PublishedJune 18, 2015
Portland faces decision on costly aid for asylum seekers
As a budget deal in Augusta eliminates public assistance for legal non-citizens who took refuge in Maine, the city must decide if its property taxpayers will foot the bill.
-
PublishedJune 17, 2015
Portland’s General Assistance costs poised to grow
A provision to allow some immigrant groups to qualify for welfare benefits is stripped from a budget deal Tuesday night.
-
PublishedJune 16, 2015
Portland council delays vote on senior housing project in Deering Center
Councilors appeared split late Monday over a zoning change to allow construction of 288 housing units. The proposal will be taken up again July 6.
-
PublishedJune 15, 2015
Portland approves medical marijuana festival in Deering Oaks
The City Council votes to permit the New England Cannabis Farmers Market Festival, which organizers say won’t include marijuana or alcohol use.
- ← Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- …
- 243
- Next Page →