Government

City Council Sworn In: Mejia’s Moving American Dream Memory, Diversity, and Astrology

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Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston City Council were sworn into office on Monday, and nothing was more moving than At-Large City Councilor Julia Mejia adding to her American Dream. We'll just let Mejia tell it. And to think that Mejia was almost not elected, as she won a recount by one vote against Alexandra St. Guillen. Not only did Mejia make history, but this current Boston City Council also changed Boston history, which was pointed out by many people, including District 4 City Councilor Andrea Campbell.

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Schools

Governor Signs Education Funding Equity Bill Into Law at English High

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With English High School students gathered in a packed gym, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law that boosts investment in public schools by $1.5 billion annually over the next seven years. Baker was joined by numerous elected officials and business leaders, including Mayor Marty Walsh, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Boston School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, City Councilors Matt O'Malley and Annissa Essaibi-George, and more on Nov. 26. The Student Opportunity Act will particularly provide new funding to school districts with high percentages of low-income students and English Language learners who often live in some of the highest-need communities. “This is a monumental moment for the future of our Commonwealth.

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Boston Saves

Walsh: Saving For Your Child’s Future Can Be Overwhelming, But Boston Is Here to Help

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The start of kindergarten marks the beginning of a child’s educational future and here in Boston we believe nothing should hinder a child’s path to success. That’s why, in 2016, and in collaboration with Boston Public Schools, we launched Boston Saves as a three-year pilot program. Our goal was to build strong career pathways by helping families of BPS kindergarteners save money for their children’s college or career training. Throughout those three years, our efforts worked. We provided children’s savings accounts to 1,600 students from eleven BPS schools for a total of $80,000.

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Arts

JP Residents Awarded Boston Arts and Culture Grants

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The Boston Cultural Council announced the second round of Opportunity Funds, and two Jamaica Plain residents are receiving grants up to $1,000. In total, the city awarded $33,500 to 34 grantees across Boston's neighborhoods. “This second round of the Opportunity Fund truly exemplifies the diverse and talented array of artists whose work touches every neighborhood of our city,” said Mayor Marty Walsh via press release. “I look forward to seeing these individuals excel in their art and enhance their communities with these grants.”

Nancy Marks will use the grant to bring The Opioid Project to several Boston neighborhoods. The Opioid Project is a series of community-based workshops and art exhibitions highlighting "the complex social narrative of addiction while giving space and ‘voice’ to all those connected to the opioid epidemic."

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Dunkin' Donuts

Mayor Walsh: Summer Jobs for Kids, Like My First One at Dunkin’ Donuts, Make A Difference

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If you asked anyone working today, I bet they can remember their first summer job. It might have been flipping burgers, lifeguarding at the community pool, or helping kids as a camp counselor. Growing up, everyone in my neighborhood had a summer job -- it meant independence, and extra money in your pocket. I remember my first job -- I was a doughnut finisher at the Dunkin' Donuts in Andrew Square. The work wasn’t glamorous.

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Opinion
Mayor Marty Walsh makes a point during a press conference with neighborhood media on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

Mayor Walsh: We’re Making Boston World-Class Because it Works for the Middle Class

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From around the world and across our nation, people look to Boston for hope, for opportunity, and for a chance to build a better life. From the first immigrant who set foot on the Shawmut Peninsula to the first student from Puerto Rico who stepped into a new classroom this fall, for nearly four centuries Boston has been more than the place we share. It’s the hope we bring. It’s our determination to show a better way forward, lifting one another up along the way. This spirit has continues to remain in Boston.

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Elections

Walsh Cruises to Second Term; Six Women Now on City Council

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As expected Mayor Martin Walsh easily defeated District 7 City Councilor Tito Jackson for a second term. But it was the Boston City Council races that were more interesting. Walsh took 65% of the vote to Jackson's 33%, according to unofficial results as of 10:30 pm on Tuesday. The only truly contested race in Jamaica Plain was the District 7 race (there's a little bit of District 7 in JP by Egleston Square). After a preliminary that had more than a dozen candidates Kim Janey and Rufus Faulk faced each other.

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Elections

Read JP Progressives’ Endorsement of Mayor Walsh

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The JP Progressives have chosen to endorse Mayor Marty Walsh for a second term over District 7 City Councilor Tito Jackson. JP Progressives, a chapter member of Progressive MASS, provided a lengthy and thoughtful endorsement. In the Sept. 26th preliminary election Walsh took 62 percent of the vote and Jackson received 29 percent. The two will face-off against each other in the Nov.

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Opinion

Mayor Walsh: How We’re Bringing Bostonians of Different Generations Together Under One Roof

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Every year, more and more people are calling Boston home. Our population is growing: we’re expected to surpass 700,000 residents before 2030, which are numbers we haven’t seen in decades. This growth means that housing is in high demand. In 2014, we released our housing plan. It’s a roadmap to help us keep up with demand by creating 53,000 new units by 2030.

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