Transportation

Councilor Wu Wants You to Sign Petition to Oppose MBTA Fare Hikes…And She Wants a Fare-Free T

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At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu regularly takes public transportation (often with kids in tow). So the MBTA's proposed fare hikes really strike a personal chord with her -- and she has created a petition asking for people to oppose the fare increases. "We oppose the proposal to raise MBTA fares. The proposed 6% fare hike would place an undue burden on residents already struggling to meet transportation-related costs, totaling an unaffordable 41% increase in MBTA fares since 2012. The increased costs would push more commuters to drive, undercutting our most urgent goal of increasing transit ridership to ease congestion, limit air pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," wrote Wu in the petition.

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Government

Poll: Should Boston City Council Terms be Two or Four Years?

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Stop us if you've heard this before. The Boston City Council voted to change the length of their terms from two to four years. Back in 2016, the council voted 12-1 to change term limits, with only At-Large City Councilor Michelle Wu voting against it. On Wednesday, the council voted 11-2 in favor of changing their own term limits, with Wu once again voting against it, as did District 7 City Councilor Josh Zakim. Councilor Wu regularly provides recap notes on all Boston City Council meetings and provided insight into why her colleagues supported extending terms, as well as why she and Zakim voted against it. "Several councilors had stated at the working session on Monday and on the council floor today that having a longer term would strengthen the council as a counterweight to the mayor’s office, and it would save the city money by eliminating the need to run a citywide election in the non-mayoral odd year," wrote Wu.

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Environment

What You Need to Know: Boston’s Plastic Bag Ordinance Goes Into Effect on Dec. 14.

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Boston is taking a big step this week to be more environmentally friendly as the city's plastic bag ordinance goes into effect on Dec. 14. The ordinance is intended to lessen the use of disposable checkout bags by retail stores. The ordinance requires any bag provided by a retail business to a customer must be either a reusable bag, a recyclable paper bag or a compostable plastic bag. The retail business that provides the bag for no less than five cents per bag will keep the the money generated by the fee.

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Elections

Part II: 4 Elected Officials Ask 5 DA Candidates Questions

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Jamaica Plain News easily could've asked our own questions to the five candidates vying to be the next Suffolk County District Attorney. But instead we asked four elected officials to provide questions. Their questions are based on their own experiences and elected positions: State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins and At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. The five candidates are Evandro Carvalho, Linda Champion, Greg Henning, Shannon McAuliffe and Rachael Rollins. Today's questions are from Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins and At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu.

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Environment

City Council Passes Ban on Plastic Bags, Mayor Reviewing Ordinance

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The Boston City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on Wednesday that would ban thin plastic shopping bags and create a 5-cent fee on paper bags and thicker bags. The purpose of the ordinance, which was co-sponsored by At-Large City Councilor Michelle Wu and District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, is to reduce litter on the streets, avoid plastic bags ending up in our waterways, trees and harming the environment. Using fewer plastic bags would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste, while promoting the use of recyclable bags. A spokesperson for the mayor told Jamaica Plain News that the mayor is "reviewing the proposal." If the mayor approves the ordinance, it would go in effect one year after he signed it into law.

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