Boston City Council led a packed hearing on Thursday, August 3, discussing the successes and shortcomings of the city’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program. The program — in which Boston asks nonprofits with tax-exempt property to make voluntary contributions equal to about 25 percent of their property values — has been criticized by…
Activists push to strip slave owner’s name from Faneuil Hall
On Thursday, August 2, a Boston-based civics organization announced a boycott on Faneuil Hall, pushing to rename the old marketplace because of its ties to slavery. Activists propose the name should instead be Crispus Attucks Hall. The New Democracy Coalition has been pushing for a name change for a year and submitted a petition in…
Career Politician vs. Activist: Congressional hopeful Ayanna Pressley debates incumbent Michael Capuano
Bay State Rep. Michael Capuano and Boston City Councilor-At-Large Ayanna Pressley sparred over who would best represent the Seventh Congressional District in Congress – notably the most diverse district in the state – during a debate at UMass Boston hosted by WBUR on Aug. 7. Capuano touted his many notable endorsements as evidence of his…
Fifty Years After the Fair Housing Act, Discrimination is Still an Issue
The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) of 1968, celebrated this past April, begs the question: where do we stand as a nation half a century later? The enactment of this law is the legacy of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and many other civil rights activists, and as a…
Boston names first black police commissioner, but activists say there’s still a lot of work to do
William Gross made history on July 23 when he became Boston’s first ever black police commissioner. Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Gross’s appointment, which will begin on August 5. Both Walsh and outgoing commissioner William Evans had glowing words for Gross and his 33 year career at the Boston Police Department. “I don’t think the…
House Bill Would Waive Fees, Eliminate Address Requirement For State IDs
Update: In a Facebook comment, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless informed Spare Change News the bill didn’t pass, and said “we will be working to move it forward during the informal legislative sessions between now and the end of December.” The original Spare Change news article on the bill follows below. The Massachusetts…
Despite Endorsement From Massachusetts Medical Society, Legislators Go Home For Summer Without Approving Supervised Injection Sites
Legislators folded at the chance to establish a supervised injection site pilot program within a bill, following the strong condemnation of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling at the end of this legislative session. The supervised injection facility (SIF) idea was approved for further study by the Senate Ways and Means…
Boston receives federal grant to help homeless youth
On Tuesday, July 17, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that Boston will be one of 11 communities to receive a part of a $43 million dollar grant to help end youth homelessness. The announcement was made by HUD’s deputy assistant secretary for special needs Jemine Bryon. “Today, we further commit…
Boston receives federal grant to help homeless youth
Mayor Walsh poses with members of the Bridge Over Troubled Waters community. Photo by author. On Tuesday, July 17, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Boston will be one of 11 communities to receive a part of a $43 million dollar grant to help end youth homelessness. The announcement was made…
Boston passes living wage ordinance
Boston was one of the first cities in the United States to to pass a living wage ordinance to ensure that cleaning and maintenance workers and security officers in city buildings are paid a prevailing wage rate and have job protections. Mayor Martin Walsh filed a citywide proposal to update the current ordinance to include…