波士頓市議會就區域規劃上訴委員會召開公聽會

 Boston City Council to hold hearing on ZBA reforms proposed by Councilor Edwards

WHAT: The Boston City Council will hold a hearing to get updates from the administration on the implementation of reforms to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) that were first proposed by Councilor Lydia Edwards and signed into policy through executive order by Mayor Walsh. The executive order, signed in February of 2020, established an 18 month window for the implementation of reforms that would make the board’s operations more transparent and accessible. These changes include the ability for residents to view electronic plans of proposals, email notification for abutters, and lower financial disclosure thresholds for applicants appearing before the board. During this year’s budget process, Acting Mayor Janey’s administration confirmed that these changes would be done on time.

During the hearing, the council will also discuss the home rule petition (H.2201) that Councilor Edwards filed that would bring broader reform to the ZBA including term limits and stronger conflict of interest protections. 

WHERE: Virtual - livestreamed at boston.gov/city-council-tv

WHEN: Tuesday, August 17 at 11am

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.boston.gov/public-notices/15759691

Hearing chair - Michelle Wu

RTCV ANNOUNCES CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS

 RTCV ANNOUNCES CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS

Coalition aims to further its impact on electing most progressive Council in Boston

BOSTON – Right to the City VOTE! (RTCV), a coalition formed in 2013 and focused on the political power-building of Boston’s working-class, immigrant, communities of color, today announced its endorsement of six Boston City Council candidates ahead of the September 14, 2021 preliminary election.  

Boston and particularly its communities of color face an ongoing health, economic, and displacement crisis, hitting hardest at our most vulnerable communities. As newly released census data confirms the shrinking of Boston’s Black population, RTCV is endorsing a slate of city council candidates who promise a progressive, people of color majority for Boston City Council decisions.

RTCV started its process eight months ago in December 2020 by engaging members and leaders who are working-class, immigrant, and residents of color from neighborhoods citywide. The internal process spanned four months and resulted in a platform of policy priorities which would most equitably improve quality of life for impacted communities. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates in April, reviewed by RTCV members in May, and Council candidates were selected for interviews in June. 

The endorsement decision followed lengthy deliberations given the opportunity to further challenge the status quo at a turning point in Boston’s history. The coalition’s impact has drawn attention for its role in helping elect the most progressive and representative City Council in Boston’s history in 2019, when 1 in 7 Boston voters were contacted by RTCV.

The coalition achieves this by challenging the political establishment by building upon years of local base-building and multiracial collaboration on a collective policy agenda, engaging and mobilizing an electorate often overlooked by traditional campaign strategies, and turning this into power at the ballot box.

RTCV today announces its City Council endorsements of: 

·       Ruthzee Louijeune, At Large

·       David Halbert, At Large 

·       Julia Mejia, At Large 

·       Joel Richards, District 4

·       Kendra Hicks, District 6

·       Tania Fernandes Anderson, District 7

“We are endorsing Ruthzee Louijeune, David Halbert, and Julia Mejia for At Large because we know they will work with us to build our movement to remain, reclaim, and rebuild our communities,” said Roxbury resident and RTCV chair Armani White. “At this moment in Boston’s history, we need citywide councilors who are truly committed to representing all of Bostonians equitably – and Ruthzee, David, and Julia have shown their willingness to work alongside our communities.”

“Joel is an educator and organizer at the intersection of our movements for education justice, housing justice and racial justice,” Mattapan resident, RTCV member, and Mijente Boston member Jonathan Rodrigues said of District 4 candidate Joel Richards. “He knows real change requires bringing our movements to City Hall in order to govern collaboratively with our communities, and we’re proud to endorse him to win together.”

“As a first-generation Black Dominican woman, community organizer and activist, Kendra has committed her work toward prioritizing the voices and needs of our communities,” said RTCV steering committee and Mijente Boston member Vanessa Snow said of District 6 candidate Kendra Hicks. “Through a collaborative approach of facilitating community listening sessions, she has proven her commitment to engaging everyday residents and community members in crafting her policy platform. We are excited to continue this collective community-building approach toward governance once she’s in office.”

“Tania has committed her life to service and uplifting the community – especially those left behind by a lack of government policy, including families in need or struggling Black and Brown businesses in our communities,” Roxbury community organizer Melissa Beltran said of District 7 candidate Tania Fernandes Anderson. “We believe in her dedication to solving problems and building a bridge between community and government.” 

Chinatown welcomes first time homebuyers with unique approach to ownership

 Chinatown welcomes first time homebuyers with unique approach to ownership

From CCLT.

Mayor Kim Janey and other officials joined the Chinatown Community Land Trust and successful first-time homebuyers at a Welcome Home event today in Chinatown.

As housing instability and racial inequity is worsened by the pandemic, Chinatown CLT welcomed first time, low income homebuyers who are purchasing the city's first permanently affordable condo units on a 99-year community land trust ground lease.  In the face of an economic and displacement crisis, with properties rapidly changing hands, Community Land Trusts protect land for the community against the ups and downs of the speculative market, offering a compelling model for stabilizing working class neighborhoods and historic communities of color.

“These units will remain affordable even if they change hands, through a renewable 99-year ground lease owned by the community,” said executive director Lydia Lowe.  “This model offers individual families some of the wealth building opportunities of ownership and, in the face of gentrification, community stability for generations to come.”

Chinatown CLT President Suzanne Lee noted that many of the neighborhood’s 19th century row houses had been emptied by speculative investors for short term, Airbnb type rental in recent years, but noted that the organization’s goal was to return them to be homes working class families.

City Councilor Lydia Edwards, who played a role in introducing the Trust leaders to the prior owner to negotiate a purchase, said, “I never thought I would see a situation in which an investor decided to sell back to the community!”

Lowe emphasized that community organizing was key to reclaiming the row houses, thanking “the hundreds of community members who signed petitions, marched, attended zoning hearings, and held press conferences over the years, because you created the conditions for this property acquisition to happen.”

Mayor Janey noted that she felt a personal connection to Chinatown’s struggles, as she spent part of her childhood in a South End row house until her family was displaced in the 1980s. She thanked community members for their work and pledged to continue working with the community to increase neighborhood stabilization policies and affordable housing opportunities.  Representative Aaron Michlewitz, City Councilors Ed Flynn and Lydia Edwards were also in attendance.

Rowhouse preservation is part of how Chinatown is using historic and cultural preservation as an anti-displacement strategy.  In addition to reclaiming individual properties, community members are organizing to call for a Row House Protection Area in the zoning code, a subdistrict category that exists in neighborhoods like the South End but not in Chinatown, which was not recognized as a residential neighborhood for 150 years.

The Chinatown Community Land Trust is calling for a Row House Protection Area to correct inequity in the city’s zoning history, and also calling for a Historic Conservation District, similar to an ongoing effort in Highland Park.  An Immigrant History Trail will launch this year as a public art project that lifts up the stories of immigrant, working class families since the 1800s. (From CCLT)

MAYOR JANEY AND THE CHINATOWN COMMUNITY LAND TRUST CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINATOWN  Two row houses have been purchased, renovated and are deeded for long-term affordability

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 17, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Chinatown Community Land Trust yesterday welcomed first-time, low-income homebuyers who purchased the Chinatown Land Trust’s (Chinatown CLT) first permanently affordable condo units on a 99-year community land trust ground lease. The Chinatown CLT preserved and renovated these seven units with funding from the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development and the Community Preservation Act. These seven homes on 20 Oak Street (three units) and 95 Hudson Street (four units) are the Chinatown CLT's first permanently affordable homes created on the land trust. “I'm proud that together with our partners, we've preserved and renovated these affordable homes for Chinatown residents and families,” said Mayor Janey. “These homes are an example of our commitment to growing our affordable homeownership options in our City, and making sure those options are near public transit hubs.” The Chinatown CLT row houses are transit-oriented development, being a two-minute walk from the MBTA Tufts Medical Center station.   “Through community ownership of the land, we are protecting Chinatown's historic brick row houses as permanently affordable housing for lower-income families,” said Lydia Lowe, Executive Director for the Chinatown Community Land Trust. “Many of these homes were lost to short-term rental investors in recent years, but today we are working to reclaim Chinatown's small-scale row houses to continue to be an anchor for working-class families for generations to come.” "We are a family with two young children who have been living in Chinatown since 2016,” said new homeowner Meidan Lin. “We can now have a stable home for our children's education, medical care, our jobs--we feel a sense of security in our heart." The renovation of the row houses is part of how Chinatown is using historic and cultural preservation as an anti-displacement strategy. In addition to reclaiming individual properties, the City is investing in the creation and protection of affordable housing, as well as supporting local businesses. An Immigrant History Trail is slated to launch this year as a transformative public art project that lifts the stories of immigrant, working-class families since the 1800s.

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES LATEST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES LATEST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING $28 million available to distribute to projects that build affordable housing, preserve historic sites or create open space and recreation

BOSTON - Monday, August 16, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the availability of eligibility forms for applications for the upcoming round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. For Fiscal Year 2022, the City of Boston has made $28 million available for CPA projects under three categories consistent with statewide guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space or recreation. Interested applicants must complete eligibility forms by September 3, 2021, which will be reviewed by the City’s Community Preservation Act team. Candidates deemed eligible by the CPA team will be invited to submit an application for their proposed projects. Once approved, applications will open on October 4, 2021 by invitation only and close on November 12, 2021.  “Boston remains committed to preserving the history and beauty of its neighborhoods by investing directly into the communities we serve,” said Mayor Janey. “By funding community-based and grassroots projects, the City empowers neighborhoods directly.” Applicants who would like to apply for affordable housing projects will need to respond to the joint request for proposals (RFP) released by the City of Boston Community Preservation Program and the Department of Neighborhood Development. This joint RFP must be submitted by September 24, 2021. After the end of the application period, the Community Preservation Committee will review applications by January 2022 and vote on a list of proposals in February to recommend to the Mayor. The Mayor will make a recommendation on the slate of CPA projects to be voted on by the Boston City Council. The last round of CPA awards in February 2021 funded over $25.5 million to 67 projects across the city, including affordable housing developments and programs, parks and open space, and historic preservation projects consistent with statewide guidelines. Examples of community projects that benefited from this investment include preserving historic elements on the Guild of Boston Artists building dating back to 1884, improving the tree canopy on the Charles River Esplanade, and adding 75 affordable housing units in Hyde Park. The Community Preservation Fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that began in July 2017 after Boston voters adopted the measure on a ballot question in November 2016.  The City of Boston Community Preservation Act Program has awarded over $92 million to support 198 projects across the City since 2016. Community Preservation Act-funded projects can be found in 23 neighborhoods. Of those supported since its creation, there have been 27 affordable housing projects, 85 open space and recreation projects, and 86 historic preservation projects.  The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is committed to broad community participation, supporting accessible and visible projects that have a positive impact on neighborhoods and residents. CPA staff has been hosting virtual meet and greets, community meetings, and workshops to explain the eligibility requirements and the application process to residents and organizations interested in applying for funding.  For more information about the Community Preservation Act, visit here. To learn more about the process of applying for Community Preservation Act funding, visit the CPA's How to apply page. If you have any questions about the CPA Program, please email here.

波士頓華埠社區土地信託會歡迎2名新屋主 呼籲設「排屋保護區」

慶祝新屋主遷入華埠。左起，華人前進會主任陳玉珍，華埠社區土地信託會會長
李素影，主任駱理德，新屋主林美丹，波士頓代市長Kim Janey，新屋主EddicHickey
，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 華埠社區土地信託會(Chinatown Community Land Trust)邀得波士頓代市長Kim Janey和州市議員等政要，8月16日在屋街(Oak St.)聯袂歡迎2名首次購屋者成為華埠新屋主。

               林美丹，Eddie Hickey這兩名年輕人在市政府舉辦的可負擔住宅抽籤中，幸運中籤，以17萬餘元，成為了屋街29號的新屋主。華埠社區土地信託會主任駱理德表示，屋街29號現在還有一層樓待售，就等波士頓市政府辦理相關手續。

                華埠土地信託會為這活動，特地印製了有中文「歡迎歸家到華埠」，英文Welcome home to Chinatown的儀式程序單，向所有協助機構，以及50餘名捐款者表達感謝之意，包括華人前進會、波士頓市鄰里局(DND)，E3發展公司，壽險社區投資計畫，Maloney物業公司，Wongxu建築公司，以及波士頓市鄰里發展局局長Sheila A. Dillon等。

                   波士頓市政府8月17日發佈新聞稿指出，華埠社區土地信託會藉由波士頓市鄰里發展局，以及社區保護法(Community Preservation Act)的經費，保留並翻修了7個單位，包括屋街29號的3個單位，以及乞臣街95號的4個單位。

             

華人前進會主任陳玉珍(右一)和華埠居民，以及波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards(中)，
Ed Flynn(後左)。(周菊子攝)

駱理德指出，華埠社區土地信託會推出這一計畫，旨在為具有歷史的有色社區及工薪鄰里提供一個讓人難以拒絕的穩定模式，在未來世代面對著地方豪華化，社區求穩定的挑戰中，為個別家庭提供一些擁有房屋可帶來的儲存財富機會。

2名新屋主買的是波士頓市第一個有99年社區土地租約的永久性可負擔住宅。這些房屋即使更換屋主，仍可藉由更新社區所擁有的99年土地租約，保持其可負擔性。

在這儀式中做廣東話翻譯的華埠社區土地信託會會長李素影強調，最近這幾年，華埠內有許多19世紀的排屋(row houses)被投機的投資者買下、騰空，改成短期出租的Airbnb形式的租貸單位，而該會希望把這些排屋還給社區，保留給工薪家庭。

華埠社區土地信託會主任駱理德和2名新屋主。(周菊子攝)

                    華埠土地信託會得以買下屋街29號，波士頓市第一區市議員Lydia Edwards居間有功，她認識之前買下這棟樓的東波士頓土地發展商，並把他介紹華埠社區土地信托會高層，還從中遊說，促成了這位發展商願意把這棟樓賣回給華埠社區。Lydia Edwards說，她對自己能發揮影響力，促成此事，感到非常高興。

波士頓代市長Kim Janey表示，華埠社區土地信託會在做的這事，她個人深有感觸。小時候她和家人住在南端，直到1980年代他們沒法保有那棟排屋為止，她很知道擁有房屋對一個家庭的影響。她稱許華埠社區土地信託會的努力，強調她將和Sheila Dillon一起，在這方面繼續致力穩定社區。

華埠社區土地信託會特別點名感謝波士頓市鄰里發展局局長
Sheila A. Dillon (右)。左為華人前進會主任陳玉珍。(周菊子攝)

麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)和波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)這天也都出席了儀式。麥家威笑說，他從來沒有懷疑過華人前進會等人說到就做到的能力，還提醒眾人，市政府有資金在這方面協助社區，州政府也有。

駱理德表示，「保護排屋」是華埠用歷史及文化保留，做為”反流離失所”策略的一部分，除了重新取得個人物業外，社區成員還在組織呼籲，在150年來都未被認可為住宅區的華埠之內，也設立南端(South End)之類地區已經有了的「排屋保護區」這區域規劃，以及像Highland Park正在努力的，設立「歷史保護區(Historic Conservation District)」。今年他們將推出「移民歷史步道(Immigrant History Trail)」這公共藝術項目，描述1800年以來這地區的工薪家庭故事。(更新版)

波士頓代市長提家規法 300萬元以上物業出售加徵稅2%

(Boston Orange編譯)波士頓代市長Kim Janey在8月16日向波士頓市議會遞出家規法申請，在定價300萬元以上房地產出售時，加徵稅最高2%，以期創造6530萬元，在波士頓市內擴建可負擔住宅。                 此法必須先由波士頓市議會，麻州議會通過，再交由麻州州長簽署成為正式法案，一旦通過將可增加波士頓市可負擔住宅經費，包括保留現有或建造新的有收入限制房屋。                  2019年時，波士頓市議會曾通過類似的家規法，但在州議會被擋了下來。2019年的版本，是要向售價200萬元以上房地產加徵最高2%的稅。                   2019年時，波士頓市議會曾通過類似的家規法，但在州議會被擋了下來。2019年的版本，是要向售價200萬元以上房地產加徵最高2%的稅。                    以2020年售價超過300萬元的物業交易有219宗為基礎來計算，加徵稅2%，可為波士頓市府增加大約6530萬元收入，以用於建造可負擔住宅。該年這類交易量最多的地區，依序為有90宗的後灣/畢肯丘區，27宗的中心/城中區，24宗的南端(South End)，以及24宗的波士頓/海港區。                  Kim Janey政府今年已投資1150萬元進收入有限制的可負擔住宅，這些投資帶來的其他公私領域投資約8240萬元，總共9400萬元。                    波士頓市政府最近通過的2022會計年度預算也包括，新增600萬元給可負擔住宅項目，這是增加了21%。波士頓市府另外撥出2700萬元的美國援救計畫經費用於住宅計畫，包括2000萬元將用於收購市價物業，並將之轉換成為可負擔住宅，230萬元用於原著購屋者及屋主。波士頓市府另將動用聯邦政府新冠病毒紓困經費1億4500萬元，支援受新冠病毒打擊的租屋者，無家可歸家庭。                波士頓市府在今年稍早，修訂了連鎖金項目，把波士頓市內大於10萬平方尺大型商業土地發展需繳納的連鎖金，提高至44%。單只在2020年內，波士頓計畫發展局(BPDA)批准的新土地發展，估計就可創造4320萬元的連鎖金來支持可負擔住宅。將來的土地發展數量若類似，將可為波士頓市府創造6320萬元的收入。

MAYOR JANEY FILES HOME RULE PETITION FOR PAYMENTS OF TWO PERCENT ON REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS OVER $3 MILLION TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING

 

BOSTON - Monday, August 16, 2021 - Mayor Janey today filed a Home Rule Petition with the Boston City Council to generate an estimated $65.3 million to expand affordable housing in the city. The petition creates a fee of up to two percent on real estate sales over $3 million. If passed, the measure will increase funding available for affordable housing in Boston, including preserving existing and creating new income-restricted housing. After passage by the Boston City Council, the legislation must then be approved by the Massachusetts State Legislature and signed by the Governor.  “As a person who has experienced housing insecurity, creating more homes that Boston residents can afford is my priority,” said Mayor Janey. “It’s important that the City of Boston is creative in generating funding for income-restricted housing. I look forward to working with the Boston City Council and the Massachusetts Legislature to pass this critical legislation that will allow more housing opportunities to keep and attract residents.”  This legislation builds on a 2019 Home Rule Petition that passed the Boston City Council, but has not advanced in the Massachusetts State Legislature. The 2019 version proposed a fee of up to two percent on real estate sales over $2 million. The fee will instead be applied to the sales value above $3 million. This change limits the fees borne by long-term, middle-class homeowners.   Based on 2020 sales over $3 million, a two percent transfer fee would yield an estimated $65.3 million for affordable housing production and programming from 219 transactions. The largest number of transactions were in Back Bay/Beacon Hill (90) neighborhoods, the Central/Downtown neighborhoods (27), the South End (24), and South Boston/Seaport (24) area.   This Home Rule Petition builds on the City’s efforts to generate affordable housing for residents. This year, the Janey administration has invested $11.5 million in city resources into income-restricted, affordable housing which leveraged another $82.4 million in other public and private investment sources for a total $94 million investment.   The recently adopted FY22 budget included $6 million in new City funding for affordable housing programs - a 21 percent increase - including funding for City-funded vouchers and housing support for homeless households. In addition, the City has allocated $27 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing initiatives, including $20 million to acquire and convert market-rate properties to income-restricted affordable housing and $2.3 million for assistance to homebuyers and homeowners. This is in addition to $145 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding the City has received and is using to support renters and homeless households impacted by the pandemic and to build more housing for low and moderate income residents.  Earlier this year, the City of Boston modified the Linkage program, requiring a 44 percent increase in the Linkage fees collected by large scale commercial developments over 100,000 square feet in Boston to support the creation of affordable housing. In 2020 alone, new development approved by BPDA is estimated to generate over $43.2 million in Linkage fees to support affordable housing. In the future, a similar level of approvals would generate $63.2 million. The funds collected through Linkage are administered by the Neighborhood Housing Trust through the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND).   Since 2014, funding from the city's operating and capital funding for housing programs has increased by more than 300%, while adjustments to the Inclusionary Development and Linkage Policies, and the adoption of the Community Preservation Act have resulted in tens of millions of dollars of additional revenue for housing. This funding has supported the creation of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, the development of permanent supportive housing for homeless households, and assistance for renters facing eviction. It has also supported the conversion of hundreds of market-rate units into income-restricted affordable housing and the creation of the first City-funded rental voucher program for low-income Bostonians.   Also earlier this year, Mayor Janey announced the Boston Home Center's first-time Homebuyer Program has been expanded to provide up to $40,000 in assistance to income-eligible, first-time homebuyers who seek to purchase a home in Boston.

Key State Legislators Endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor

Key State Legislators Endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor

Representatives Natalie Higgins, Vanna Howard, Maria Robinson and Andy Vargas bring total to eight state legislators backing Wu

Boston, MA— Four additional state legislators announced their endorsements of Michelle Wu for Boston Mayor today, furthering her strong backing among state leaders and demonstrating her ability to work with all levels of government to get things done. State Representatives Natalie Higgins (4th Worcester District), Vanna Howard (17th Middlesex District), Maria Robinson (6th Middlesex District) and Andy Vargas (3rd Essex District) all backed Michelle Wu for Mayor today based on her leadership qualities and vision for the City of Boston and the Commonwealth.

These endorsements follow the endorsements of State Senator and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, State Senator and Assistant Majority Whip Julian Cyr, Representative Tram Nguyen, and Representative Tommy Vitolo, making Michelle Wu the candidate for Mayor with the most support from Beacon Hill.

"Michelle Wu will bring a bold, fresh approach as Mayor of Boston. I know that she will work with state partners to make our systems more fair and just, fighting for student debt relief, addressing our housing and transportation challenges and more. I wholeheartedly endorse Michelle Wu for Boston Mayor,” said Representative Natalie Higgins, 4th Worcester District (Leominster).  

“As we recover from the pandemic, our communities across the Commonwealth must work together so families can thrive. As an Asian American woman and fellow working mom, I’ve been so proud of Michelle’s barrier-breaking leadership on issues, from affordable housing and child care, equitable education and healthcare, and food security, to building coalitions to eradicate racism and hate. I’m here with you, strengthening our communities together, still breaking barriers with you. I am proud to endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston,” said Representative Vanna Howard, 17th Middlesex District (Lowell

“Michelle is the leader with the vision, temperament, and experience to lead Boston post-pandemic. She understands the needs of each neighborhood and how to get results in the city and with her deep relationships with state leaders. Boston is fortunate to have Michelle step up to lead the city in a time of such great need and change,” said Representative Maria D. Robinson, 6th Middlesex District (Framingham).

"Michelle Wu is an inspiring leader and someone I trust to fight for all of us. On the issues that matter most across Boston and the Commonwealth -- including ending child hunger, closing vaccination gaps and making housing more affordable --  Michelle has a powerful commitment, vision and record of results. I look forward to partnering with her to make it easier for working families to live in our communities across Massachusetts,” said Representative Andy X. Vargas, 3rd Essex District (Haverhill).

“I’m thrilled that our broad and diverse coalition grows today with leaders at the State House representing regional partners and gateway cities — who have each broken barriers to reshape what’s possible in our communities. I look forward to working alongside them to tackle our shared and interconnected challenges, from housing affordability to transportation and climate change,” said Michelle Wu.

Recent census data show that Massachusetts is growing more diverse, as Boston and gateway cities have grown in population. 

These endorsements add to the Michelle for Mayor campaign’s enthusiastic coalition of multigenerational, multicultural grassroots supporters including leaders Senator Elizabeth Warren, Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards, State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, State Senator Julian Cyr, Representatives Tommy Vitolo and Tram Nguyen, former State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing; unions Teamsters Local 25, New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE!, Alliance of Unions at the MBTA, MBTA Inspectors Union Local 600, OPEIU Local 453; environmental organizations Sunrise Boston, Sierra Club, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, 350 Mass Action; Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale; Ward 4 and Ward 5 Democrats; and fellow municipal elected officials from across Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For all of Michelle for Boston’s endorsements, visit michelleforboston.com/endorsements. 

居民要求學校委員會委員由選舉產生列入選票問題

 Residents petition for a ballot question on electing the Boston School Committee

Amid mounting demands for city voters to regain the right to choose their School Committee, a group of residents from across the city has filed a petition to put the question on the November ballot.

The petitioners represent a wide range of racial and ethnic groups, neighborhoods, and ages. The ballot question would be advisory, but passage would put pressure on the City Council and the Mayor to move forward with changing the way the School Committee is chosen.

The proposed question reads: “Should the current appointed school committee structure be changed to a school committee elected by the residents of Boston?”

Along with the ballot initiative, a home rule petition filed by City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo and supported by Councilor Julia Mejia would create a process to determine the eventual structure of the elected school committee. Together, the ballot question and home rule petition could restore to Bostonians the democratic right to elect their school board; a right that residents in every other municipality in the state possess.

“The goal of the ballot petition is to allow voters to weigh in on the governance of the Boston Public Schools. Passage will both make it clear that Bostonians are in favor of electing their school committee and bring pressure on the council and the mayor to make that change,” said Ruby Reyes of the Boston Education Justice Alliance, a member organization of the Boston Coalition for Education Equity. 

Councilor Arroyo stated that the home rule petition will be the beginning of a robust public process to arrive at the eventual school committee structure in partnership with Bostonians. “We are required to propose something to replace the law we are striking, but to be clear, this is just the starting point for a conversation on what’s the best eventual structure. We would not be proposing this if we couldn’t guarantee that all voices will be heard and that the end product will be dictated by a public process. I support the effort to democratize our school committee and ensure that our school committee is accountable to the people they serve.”

For the past 30 years, the mayor has decided who runs the city schools. Public interest in changing school committee governance has increased over the past several years; a June 2021 Suffolk University and Boston Globe poll showed only 6 percent of likely voters still support the current system.

The petitioners include Dr. Jean McGuire, who in 1981 was the first Black woman elected to the School Committee. That was before the current committee structure, with all members appointed by the mayor, was adopted in 1991. When School Committee elections were stopped, the 13 elected members were the most diverse school committee in the city’s history.

McGuire said she believes Boston should restore elections for School Committee because, “The sine qua non of citizenship is the right to vote. It’s your voice. Never give it up. People died for that right.”

The petition was organized by the Boston Coalition for Education Equity, an alliance of education, community, and civil rights organizations. The petition signers include parents, students, and teachers who feel the current Committee has made decisions that harm students and that an appointed Committee cannot be held accountable.

According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 53, Section 18A, the City Council can place a non-binding question on the November ballot upon petition by at least 10 registered city voters.

Other petition signers include:

Rev. Willie Bodrick II, senior pastor of the Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury:

“What's most important is that we get an opportunity to ensure that the voices of the people are heard, especially those who are disproportionately affected by the structural barriers of our systems, in communities like Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.

“An elected process engages people, it's going to have people going door to door to ask questions about their children's and their family's experiences. This leads to us identifying the problems, encouraging the district to be better, and engaging families so that all our children have the best opportunities to become all that they need to be.”

Carrie Mays, youth activist and social justice warrior:

“The historic incident of seeing numerous youth leaders resign from BSAC due to the corruption of the Boston School Committee was a reflection of poor accountability and lack of youth voice. Time and time again young people and parents have been neglected from our educational decision-making processes. If we truly want to implement inclusivity of youth and especially Black and Brown people to our fullest capacity, we need to start by practicing a more democratic approach and let the residents of Boston elect our School Committee.”

Lee Nave, Jr., Allston community organizer:

“I used to do a lot of juvenile justice reform work, and so I've seen the school to prison pipeline. Some of the policies the School Committee oversees play a huge role in determining if a young person is incarcerated or has a record. An elected School Committee would allow us to put people in charge who have backgrounds that better represent our community and better understand the problems that face young people.”

Jean Powers, BPS parent:

“It’s been clear for years that BPS intended to close my children’s school, but top officials always denied it—right up until they announced it was closing after all. No provision was made to help the children through this harsh transition. Our families have never had a voice. I believe an elected School Committee would represent the interests of BPS families.”

Suleika Soto, BPS parent and parent organizer for the Boston Education Justice Alliance:

“When the School Committee gave the McCormack field away, they didn't take the community into consideration. That happens a lot also with school closures. The community rallies and comes to the School Committee to say why it's a bad idea, and they’re not taken into consideration.

“When there are elections, you’ll know if the community feels the School Committee members haven't worked for what the community needs.”

Please go to ElectTheBSC.org for further information on this ballot question.