Boston City Councilor Althea Garrison wants rent control back in the city of Boston. During the regular city council meeting, Garrison requested a hearing on rent control as a way to combat the housing crisis in the city. “There is a major housing crisis in the city of Boston,” she said. “Landlords frequently refuse to Read More…
During this week’s City Council meeting, the Boston City Council showed support for the federal Green New Deal in a resolution. “The climate crisis is here now. We see it in Boston every single year,” said City Councilor Michelle Wu. “We are working on it as much as we can at the city level, but Read More…
The Boston City Council recently held a hearing about strengthening the Trust Act. The Trust Act is a citywide ordinance that prevents Boston Police from detaining immigrants on the request of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This week’s hearing comes after an incident in 2017 where Boston Police and ICE worked together to arrest Read More…
The Boston City Council is looking at extending the required retiring age for Boston Police officers. During the regular city council meeting, Councilor Michael Flaherty requested a public hearing surrounding the retirement age for police officers. Currently, police officers are required to retire once they reach 65 years old. “It’s 2019. Does 65 make sense?” Read More…
Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George wants more nurses and social workers in Boston Public Schools. During a hearing this week, Essaibi-George stressed the need for a full-time nurse and social worker in every school. “They need to be in every school, every day, every hour to support all of our students,” she said. The councilor said schools Read More…
The City of Boston election department is considering developing sub-precincts in an effort to create more efficient and smoother election days. Boston City Council held a hearing this week to discuss the possibility of creating these new sub-precincts. According to Commissioner of Election Department Dion Irish, there are some major population disparities within different wards Read More…
The Boston City Council passed an ordinance regarding scooters during a recent city council meeting. The unanimously-passed ordinance sets new rules and regulations to emerging scooter and other micro mobility companies. “This is really exciting and an incredibly important step,” said Councilor Matt O’Malley. O’Malley said he supports scooters in Boston because it gets people Read More…
The Boston Council held a hearing earlier this week regarding school safety. Councilor Annissa Essaibi George requested the hearing, saying it is vital to know how the Boston Public School Department is protecting children. “School safety has always been top of my mind,” she said. “We need to create a community that is safe and Read More…
Boston City Councilors are considering a new ordinance that would legally require landlords to give their new tenants the paperwork to vote in Boston. Councilors Michelle Wu and Josh Zakim proposed the new ordinance at the regular city council meeting this week. Zakim said some landlords in his district already do this and find it Read More…
Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards introduced a proposal that would allow for Boston to tax six percent on real estate transactions over $2 million earlier this week. Primary owner-occupied residences would be exempt from the tax. The councilor believes money generated from this tax could go into creating more affordable housing in the city. “We Read More…
The Boston City Council approved projects for the community preservation act. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides funds for acquisition, creation, preservation and enhancement of open space, historic resources and affordable housing in Boston. The City of Boston voted in favor of the act in 2016 with 74 percent of residents voting for CPA. This Read More…
After recent tragic events involving the kidnapping and murder of a young woman, the Boston city council will hold a hearing on nightlife safety. During the city council meeting, Boston city councilor Annissa Essaibi-George requested the meeting, saying it was the council’s job to make sure public safety concerns are met. “We need to take Read More…