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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PublishedOctober 16, 2020
Portland city manager plans to leave at end of one-year contract extension
Jon Jennings told city councilors he would consider only a one-year extension and Mayor Kate Snyder said the council will likely launch a search for a new manager next fall so Jennings’ replacement can start in July 2022.
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PublishedOctober 16, 2020
What is the hotly contested Green New Deal for Portland? Here’s the proposal
Despite its name, the question on Portland’s ballot is unrelated to the national Green New Deal reform package pushed by progressive leaders such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
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PublishedOctober 15, 2020
Ballot measure would reduce short-term rentals, increase penalties in Portland
Question E on the Portland ballot would eliminate nonowner-occupied and tenant-occupied short-term rentals in the city and increase registration fees from $100 for the first unit to $1,000 for each unit.
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PublishedOctober 14, 2020
Portland voters to decide on $15 minimum wage, plus hazard pay
The proposal includes time-and-a-half pay for certain workers during a declared emergency – a provision that could raise Portland’s minimum to $18 in December.
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PublishedOctober 13, 2020
Portland mayor and most councilors announce opposition to 5 referendum questions
Every councilor except Pious Ali is opposing the ballot questions drafted by Southern Maine Democratic Socialists of America, but all are silent on a 6th proposal, to lift a cap on marijuana stores in the city.
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PublishedOctober 13, 2020
Rent control proposal heads to Portland voters again
A similar proposal was rejected by a nearly 2-1 margin in 2017.
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PublishedOctober 12, 2020
Portland voters asked to strengthen facial surveillance ban
Question B on the city ballot would add enforcement provisions – including a private right of action for people to sue the city – to an existing prohibition on city employees using facial recognition technology.
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PublishedOctober 7, 2020
Business group rallies opposition to Portland referendum proposals
The Portland Community Chamber of Commerce forum comes as opponents of the initiatives hold a significant fundraising and spending advantage over proponents.
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PublishedOctober 7, 2020
Two candidates for open District 4 seat on Portland City Council
Andrew Zarro, a progressive small business owner, faces Rosemary Mahoney, a longtime Portland resident and union organizer who ran unsuccessfully in 2014.
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PublishedOctober 6, 2020
Four candidates seek District 5 seat on the Portland City Council
Two who have never held elective office, Kathryn Sykes and Kenneth Capron, are competing against 2 experienced candidates, John Coyne and Mark Dion, for the open seat representing Riverton, North Deering and Deering Center.
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