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.
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PublishedApril 26, 2021
Portland council receives recommendations for racial equity
A 65-page report from the Racial Equity Steering Committee, appointed in response to last summer’s protests demanding racial justice, contains a range of recommendations for policing, mental health, housing, employment and even street names.
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PublishedApril 26, 2021
Portland manager’s budget begins to restore pandemic cuts
With the help of federal recovery funds, City Manager Jon Jennings’ proposed budget would decrease the municipal portion of the property tax rate, though taxes may slightly increase because of school spending.
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PublishedApril 24, 2021
J&J vaccine available Sunday in Biddeford without an appointment
People can also stop by Biddeford High School on Monday through Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for the single-shot vaccination.
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PublishedApril 21, 2021
Portland residents pursue referendum to block 200-bed homeless shelter
The proposal, which organizers hope to put on the November ballot, would limit the size of new shelters to 50 beds and thwart plans to build a new homeless services center in Riverton.
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PublishedApril 19, 2021
Portland preserves 27 acres of open space for public use
The Rand Road parcel has been a preservation priority for the city’s Land Bank Commission, which is charged with preserving and expanding public open space.
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PublishedApril 16, 2021
MECA students challenge college’s concerns about Portland social service plan
They say statements by Maine College of Art officials about Portland’s plan to consolidate social services and public health programs near a proposed dorm reflect classism and disrespect people experiencing homelessness.
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PublishedApril 14, 2021
Portland councilors back plan to move social services, but want time to address neighbors’ concerns
The Maine College of Art says it has concerns about the safety of students who will live in a new dorm next door, but others – including a student – say such fears are misplaced.
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PublishedApril 13, 2021
Maine College of Art plans dormitory for 180 students in downtown Portland
But the developer and the college are concerned about the city’s plan to move its social services and public health programming to an office building next door.
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PublishedApril 12, 2021
In a reversal, Portland council narrowly approves Munjoy Hill Historic District
The 5-4 vote came more than 2 months after the council rejected the same proposal, and City Councilor Andrew Zarro, who initially opposed the plan, asked to reconsider it.
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PublishedApril 12, 2021
Portland councilors to discuss shelter moratorium in Bayside
The item is being discussed at the request of the association that represents the city neighborhood with the highest concentration of shelter beds and social services.
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