Medford to consider real estate transaction fee

Medford is looking to become the latest Massachusetts municipality to send a home rule petition to the State House to enact a tax on “high-end real estate deals.” Backers say the measure would address the city’s affordable housing “crisis,” but the idea is not sitting too well with residents. Some engaged in a shouting match … Read more

Boston Mayor Wu says migrant crisis will impact city budget

The migrant crisis is expected to impact Boston’s budget next fiscal year, the mayor said, pointing to the steady influx of new arrivals straining the city’s adult shelter system and increased services needed for children entering the schools. Mayor Michelle Wu, who may propose her budget to the City Council next month, did not get … Read more

Boston City Council to explore giving pregnant women handicapped parking access

The Boston City Council will take a look at expanding handicapped parking access to women entering the late stage of their pregnancy, on the premise that their condition is debilitating enough at that point to qualify for the exemption. Councilor John FitzGerald, a father of three who introduced the hearing order Wednesday on a recommendation … Read more

Wu-backed city councilor cancels hearing on free museum push for all Boston kids

A Boston city councilor backed by the mayor this past election canceled a hearing he was chairing on a push from two of his colleagues looking to expand a mayoral initiative that waives museum fees for BPS students to include all schoolchildren. The office of Councilor Henry Santana, who previously worked for the mayor, sent … Read more

After middle-finger gesture, leaders want Bridgeport official removed

FILE PHOTO: City leaders are calling for Maria Pereira, who represents Bridgeport’s 138th district in the City Council, to resign after making “offensive” comments in an email and giving the middle finger to a member of the public during a meeting last week. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media FILE PHOTO: Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and City Council … Read more

Boston city councilors ‘blindsided’ by presentation honoring pro-Palestinian student walkout

A number of Boston city councilors described being “blindsided” by a controversial resolution put forward by one of their colleagues, honoring two students for organizing a pro-Palestinian walkout at their high school last week. The citation, put forward by Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, was presented on behalf of the entire City Council to New Mission … Read more