Bostopia News

I look at two recent city council meetings and the allocation of $3.4 million in additional funding to the BRIC system. Most importantly, why Wu went back on a campaign promise and her coordination with Councilors Gigi and Sharon.

I document and analyze recent statements made by Massachusetts politicians and the local media concerning Palestine and Israel

I look at the Tier-3 level At-Large candidates for the Boston City Council: Clifton Braithwaite, Catherine Vitale, and Shawn Nelson. However, I spend most of the time on Catherine and Shawn, looking at their political development and how they became symbols of the Anti-Vax Right in Boston. Can they win?! No. But what they represent is with us to stay.

Deep Dive: I explore the open question of whether or not housing advocates should support a rent control ballot question in 2024. Looking at polling similarities with the Fair Share Amendment and national success in passing rent control, I am against the idea.

I do a quick recap and review of the Preliminary election. As well as thoughts on the role of the media, why liberals vote, and predictions for the general election.

I break down the 4 candidates for District 5 and go through my back and forth on who I think people should support, Enrique or Ricardo.

I go through the investigation and resignation of Rachael Rollins and what insight it gives us into Ricardo Arroyo and the baggage he enters the preliminary race with. Part 2 will come sooner than usual I promise!

I finally get to the closeout of the Boston Budget for FY24. I apologize for the delay, vacations and family matters come first! In this episode, I pick up where we left off and discuss the Wu vetos, the debate over the budget itself, the council's historic override, and Wu's dismissal of it. AND many of my theories of Wu's meddling in the council are proven to be correct!

I go through the first half of the on going back and forth between the mayor and the Boston City Council. Looking through Wu's proposed budget, the political drama behind Worrell and Gigi changing their votes, and the operating budget that was sent to Wu on 6/14.

I break down how the City Council went from a 9-4 vote on a Progressive Map to a 10-2 vote on a Conservative Map and mostly rely on the people's champion At-Large Councilor Julia Mejia to guide us through it.

I look at the judge's decision that threw out the recently passed Boston City Council district map and Wu's attempt to take the matter into her own hands.

We say goodbye to the Joe Manchin of the Boston City Council. I take a look back on Kenzie's life, her political development, and her new job.

I jump back and forth in time between the Boston School Committee restructuring of 1984-1992 and the most recent Boston City Council debate and Wu veto. I go into the material and ideological conditions that produced the current Boston School Committee and how the debate back then (in some ways) mirrors our own today.  

I finally have the data to look at the new Boston City Council map. I go through the demographic changes and try to see if some new opportunities have emerged. 

I go through the 3 positives and 3 negatives of Mayor Wu's first term and what we have to look forward to in year 2. 

I go through the last 2 months of redistricting, from Ricardo being removed as chair to Frank Baker's attack on Protestants. Mostly talk through the Conservative's attempts to stall, derail, and delay the process.  

Election breakdown, released documents, Globe's integrity, and what Ricardo could have done differently. This one has it all! 

I play audio from the electrifying Boston City Council meeting on Wednesday, and cover the continued political fallout from the Suffolk DA election. 

I think through everything that has unfolded over the last week regarding the Boston Globe, Ricardo Arroyo, Kevin Hayden, the right-wing trolls, and the failures of our institutions and discourse. And most importantly, who should you vote for?

I go into Michael Cox's history growing up in Boston, what happened back in 1995, his suspension in Ann Arbor, and most importantly, his views on the George Floyd protests and Defund the Police.

I complete the saga of this year's budget fight by returning to Kenzie's plan to reduce OT spending in FY 21 (it didn't go well). Then we make it to the present where I break down Kendra's attempts to increase funding and Kenzie's stated reasons for voting no. Finally, end with my predictions about the police union contract with the city.  Corrections: - Ricardo running for DA, not AG - There...

Part 1: I go into the final result of the budget process, take a look at the conflict between the City Council and the mayor over what exactly the city council can do with its new budget power, and begin looking at Kenzie Bok's history (2020 budget fight) of sabotaging defund efforts in Boston.

I go more unscripted than usual to vent my frustration over Mayor Wu's decision to veto millions meant for a jobs program and give it back to the police. 

I take a look at the 58 or so amendments the City Council added to the budget, and think through how it was unanimously passed. Also, express some fears for next year and make a prediction of what Wu will do next!  

After Mike's endorsement of Maura Healey, I decided to talk through Mike's political history and his endorsements of establishment candidates over their more "progressive" challengers. Most importantly, what lessons we can learn from people on the Left who gain elected office, how their theory of change morphs over time, and what can we do about it.