boston politics

A group of Massachusetts elected officials are calling on state and local law enforcement to execute a sweep of outstanding criminal warrants and to clear people with mental health issues and substance use disorder from the corridor near Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue, known as Mass. and Cass.

Last week State Representative hopeful Mark Martinez announced on Twitter that he would be withdrawing his candidacy for the 7th Suffolk District, citing his inability to find affordable housing in the district as the reason for the early end to the campaign.

Last Wednesday, the Boston City Council passed a resolution urging Massachusetts residents to oppose a statewide ballot measure that would make app-based drivers for companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash independent contractors.

Following her tenure as the first woman and first person of color to lead Boston as its mayor, Kim Janey will now be stepping in to head the nonprofit Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) as its president and CEO.

The four candidates vying for the 15th Suffolk state representative seat being vacated by Nika Elugardo came together for their first candidate forum last week, outlining their positions on issues raised by the group Jamaica Plain Progressives.

Last Tuesday, the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) held its first listening session to discuss Mayor Wu’s rent stabilization initiative — a policy that she plans to put before state lawmakers next year.

As she marks her first 100 days in office, Mayor Michelle Wu has notched some early victories, including the mostly successful removal of the tent encampment in the Mass and Cass area and the rollout of several free bus lines — the latter, at least partially making good on a campaign promise for a fare-free T.

Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Brian Worrell gave speeches from the floor of the Ianella Chamber outlining their priorities for advancing racial justice in Boston.

Surrounded by elected officials and supporters in Roslindale Square on Tuesday, District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo announced he is running for Suffolk County District attorney.

The year 2021 brought significant turnover to Boston City Hall. After an historic campaign season, three mayors and a low-turnout election, Boston is now on the brink of a few major political changes.

In the year 2021, as was the case in 2020, news around the globe was dominated by a microscopic virus that has brought the world to its knees. Yet 2021 in Boston also was a year of historic political firsts — with four women running for mayor and a new crop of Black, Latino and Asian politicians who have redrawn the political landscape in the city.

To a packed city council chamber and crowds scattered throughout City Hall, Michelle Wu was sworn in as Boston’s first elected female mayor and first elected mayor of color Tuesday afternoon.