Politics
Politics
Lawmakers weigh gas tax proposal
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Amid all the hubbub in the Commonwealth over Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed 19-cent hike in the gas tax - with some business organizations calling for a 25-cent raise, state senators calling for reforms first, revenue later, and other legislators calling for less, less, less - local transit advocates are calling for more, more, more for the state's public transportation. Meanwhile, most local lawmakers are leaning toward a smaller tax increase. Read more
Dot's Holmes moves to Convention Center job
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Dorchester native Justin Holmes, who has had a high profile in City Councillor Maureen Feeney's office during her recent two-year stint as Council President, has taken a new job as director of government relations for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority under director James Rooney.
"He certainly made my presidency a much more positive experience because of his extensive capabilities," said Feeney this week. "I'm just so happy for him. The fact that there were people vying for him in this economy really speaks volumes." Read more
Yoon launches bid, calls Menino's style 'outmoded'
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As about 200 supporters chowed down on Singapore rice noodles and boneless spare ribs, City Councillor At-Large Sam Yoon formally kicked off his mayoral run Tuesday night.
In his speech to supporters, Yoon made little mention of the 15-year incumbent, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, instead charging that the power in city politics has been concentrated in the hands of the "chosen few." He pledged to "change Boston politics forever." Read more
She says 'soul' helps leaders in crisis
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Margaret BenefielThe lessons of the still-unraveling economic crash will likely take economists and social scientists years to deconstruct. Dorchester's Margaret Benefiel, however, thinks the root cause can be summed up rather simply: Short-sighted, selfish greed. In a word, soullessness. Read more
Sam Yoon makes it official
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Calls for an elected school committee, and notes that Boston's three favorite pastimes are sports, politics and revenge.
Gonzalez says he's running for at-large seat
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Correction
In last week's story about City Council at-Large candidate Tomas Gonzalez, his former position with the Menino Administration was misreported. Gonzalez was Menino's Latino Liaison from 2002 to 2004, and chief of staff for the Elderly Commission from 2004 to 2007. Also, a clarification: political strategist Deborah Shah has conversations with but is not actually working for Gonzalez. Read more
What the federal stimulus means for Boston
Feb. 26, 2009
I have always said that partnership is one of the most effective tools that we as leaders can use to achieve progress on almost any front. In difficult circumstances, bringing people together to work toward a common goal becomes even more important. As government leaders across the country grapple with the question of how best to overcome the financial crisis, it's reassuring to know that we have a leader in President Obama who understands the value of partnership when it comes to problem solving. Read more
Unity, not partisanship, needed to overcome recession
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In his speech this week before Congress, President Obama described a pathway to emerging from our current economic woes. In his first weeks in office, the president has systematically engaged in the business of governing &endash; making proposals, seeking bipartisan counsel, and acknowledging that all Americans feel the negative effects of this current malaise. Read more
Stats report takes heat from Menino rivals
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Mayor Tom Menino made some of the city's performance statistics public last week with a new website, but his election-year challengers are already giving the report card a failing grade.
"It reminds me of the old Soviet Union five-year plans," said candidate Kevin McCrea, a South End businessman. "It's amazing how they always hit their target every single year until they collapsed. This isn't what an accountant would say is real financial performance data that could be evaluated in an objective manner." Read more
Little hope seen in Obama's homeowner stability plan
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Those on the frontlines of the foreclosure crisis locally are saying many who struggle to make their mortgage payments in the neighborhood may not be helped by President Barack Obama's new Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, announced last week.
"There's not much to be optimistic about," said Bruce Marks of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of American (NACA). Read more
