Politics

Tenants would get to stay in foreclosed units under city-council measure

adamg — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:08:26 -0400

Councilor Mike Ross reports the council passed a home-rule petition yesterday:

... When a foreclosure occurs on a rental property, this bill gives the renter the right to stay in their home, so long as they continue to pay the rent they were paying prior to foreclosure, and assuming they remain a tenant in good standing. This situation remains until one of two things happen:

1. The lender sells the foreclosed property to a new landlord or owner, who has the right to select their own tenants if they so choose; or

2. The lender still owns the property upon arrival of the law's sunset clause, which is two years from passage (with the possibility of a third year extension if approved by the council and mayor).

The lender is required to notify the tenants of the foreclosure, so the tenant doesn't continue to pay rent to the old owner - something which we have seen happen quite frequently. ...

The proposal needs approval of the state Legislature and the governor to become law. Ross says some 2,000 apartments in Boston have been affected by foreclosure over the past year and that he expects that number to rise, with Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester and Hyde Park being hit hardest.

Scratch That: Senator Kerry Speaks at Ward 5 Democratic Committee Meeting Tonight

rossoduck — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:56:43 -0400

-- Just learned that Senator Kerry cannot make it tonight...

Senator John Kerry is speaking at the Boston Ward 5 Democrat Committee meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at LIR in Boston. The public is invited to attend.

Considering that Senator Kerry is up for re-election this November, I hope we see him more at events like this.

Casino-related death threats?

adamg — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:05:51 -0400

Death threats targeted DiMasi.

No charges against Arlington state senator

adamg — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:44:29 -0400

Insufficient evidence to prove he pawed a woman.

A public-employee union that opposes a 2 1/2 override

adamg — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:55:14 -0400

Newton firefighters cite complete mismanagement of city finances.

Of course, these are the same guys who thought nothing of effectively shutting down the turnpike at rush hour to make a point.

Take a letter, Maria, address it to my House

adamg — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:59:53 -0400

Sal DiMasi expresses his outrage at the calumnies of the Republican Party (Wait? We have one? Yes, seems we do) regarding his ethics, or alleged lack thereof, in a letter to fellow House members.

Oh, Mistah Speakah

adamg — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:05:56 -0400

Jay Fitzgerald: I'm trying to figure out how Sal gets out of this mess.

Newton mayor to bow out

adamg — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:17:55 -0400

David Cohen won't run for re-election next year.

Given Newton's propensity to elect the same guy mayor over and over again (hmm, why does that sound familiar?), Chuck Tanowitz wonders what Newton now needs in a mayor-for-life.

What sort of drugs are they on?

adamg — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:01:45 -0400

Charley on the MTA explains why the state should call Glaxo's bluff and not give into the drug company over the issue of ~~bribes~~ gifts to doctors.

Discretion proves better part of valor in Newton

adamg — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:21:52 -0400

Newton mayor decides not to seek $27,000 raise after all. Something about outraged residents approaching City Hall with some hot tar and feathers in advance of a Prop. 2 1/2 override vote later this month, we hear.