Boston City Council slammed for ’embarrassing’ vote to block $13M counter-terrorism grant

A state senator is seeking a change in Massachusetts law that would strip the Boston City Council of its authority to approve public health and safety grants, after the body’s latest “embarrassing” vote to reject $13.3 million in federal counter-terrorism funding. Nick Collins, a South Boston Democrat, filed a bill Friday that would allow that … Read more

Boston City Council approves voting rights for immigrants with ‘legal status’

The Boston City Council approved a home rule petition that grants immigrants with “legal status” the ability to vote in local elections, over concerns that the move could jeopardize their path to attaining full citizenship. The 8-4 vote taken Wednesday was described as a largely “symbolic gesture” by Councilor Gabriela Coletta who stated that conversations … Read more

Boston City Hall roiled by email party invitation for ‘electeds of color’ sent to all

A Wu administration official, on behalf of the mayor, mistakenly sent all Boston city councilors an email Tuesday inviting them to a holiday party that was meant exclusively for “electeds of color,” prompting an apology and mixed reactions. Denise DosSantos, the mayor’s director of City Council relations, told the body’s “honorable members” that, “on behalf … Read more

Lame duck Boston city councilor skips work in support of Palestinian-led ‘global strike’

Outgoing Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara skipped work on Monday, saying in a social media post that she chose to close her City Hall office “in solidarity with the global call for a ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war. In the Instagram post, which was quickly taken down, Lara appeared to be asking her 2,500-plus followers … Read more