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Mayoral election in Boston, Massachusetts (2021)
- Election date: 11/2/2021
- Registration deadline(s): 10/13/2021[1]
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Early voting: 10/23-10/29/21[2]
- Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): Received by Election Day[3]
- Voter ID: No (Most cases)
- Poll times: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
2025 →
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| 2021 Boston elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: May 18, 2021 |
| Primary election: September 14, 2021 General election: November 2, 2021 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: Mayor |
| Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections) |
| Election type: Nonpartisan |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2021 |
Michelle Wu defeated Annissa Essaibi George in the nonpartisan mayoral election in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 2, 2021. Both candidates were at-large city councilors, and both received endorsements from Democratic officials and groups that tend to back Democrats.
Media outlets described Wu as the more progressive candidate and Essaibi George as the more moderate one.[4][5][6][7] Essaibi George said that she did "not neatly fit in a box."[8] Wu said, "In city government, it’s about getting things done, not being judged on a scorecard of whether you said yes or no on certain things."[9]
Wu called the race a "choice about whether City Hall tackles our biggest challenges with bold solutions or we nibble around the edges of the status quo."[10] She highlighted her prioritization of climate issues and her support for rent control to provide short-term relief for renters.
Following the primary, Essaibi George said, "I want progress to be made — real progress — not just abstract ideas that we talk about. ... Instead of just advocating and participating in academic exercises and having lovely conversations as mayor, I will do these things." She emphasized her background as a teacher and her opposition to decreasing the police department budget.
For more on candidates' differences on housing and policing policy, see below.
Former incumbent Marty Walsh left office in March 2021 to become secretary of labor in President Joe Biden's (D) Cabinet. Kim Janey (District 7)—the city council president at the time—succeeded Walsh. Janey ran in the primary, placing fourth. Janey endorsed Wu in the general election.[11]
The Boston Globe's Laura Crimaldi wrote, "Although census figures show about 65 percent of city residents identify as people of color, the upcoming election will be the first in Boston history that won’t result in a white man becoming mayor."[12] Essaibi George is the daughter of Polish and Tunisian immigrants. Wu's parents immigrated from Taiwan.[13]
Wu completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Click here to read Wu's responses and to learn more about both candidates' backgrounds and key messages. And click here for a compilation of interviews and questionnaires from local media outlets.
The mayoral office is nonpartisan. Walsh served in the state House of Representatives as a Democrat. As of 2021, a Republican hadn't held the mayor's office in Boston since 1930.[14]
For coverage of the September 14, 2021, primary election, click here.
Boston also held elections for its 13 city council seats—nine elected by district and four elected citywide—in 2021. Five seats were open, with four incumbents having run for mayor and a fifth who didn't seek re-election. The Boston Globe's Jasper Goodman wrote that the council was "in line for the most turnover it has seen in a single election since 1993."[15] Click here to learn more about those elections.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Mayor of Boston
Michelle Wu defeated Annissa Essaibi George in the general election for Mayor of Boston on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michelle Wu (Nonpartisan)  | 64.0 | 91,794 |
 | Annissa Essaibi George (Nonpartisan) | 35.6 | 51,125 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 595 | ||
| Total votes: 143,514 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Boston
The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Boston on September 14, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michelle Wu (Nonpartisan) | 33.4 | 36,060 |
| ✔ | | Annissa Essaibi George (Nonpartisan) | 22.5 | 24,268 |
 | Andrea Campbell (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 21,299 | |
 | Kim Janey (Nonpartisan) | 19.5 | 21,047 | |
 | John Barros (Nonpartisan) | 3.2 | 3,459 | |
 | Robert Cappucci (Nonpartisan) | 1.1 | 1,185 | |
 | Jon Santiago (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew) | 0.3 | 368 | |
| Richard Spagnuolo (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 286 | ||
| Total votes: 107,972 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[16]
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Boston City Council At-Large member (Assumed office: 2016)
Biography: Essaibi George received a bachelor's degree from Boston University and a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She was a teacher at East Boston High School for 13 years. Essaibi George also opened a store called Stitch House in 2007. In 2015, she was elected as an at-large member of the city council. As of 2021, she was chair of the city council's Committee on Education.
Show sources
Sources: YouTube, "Every Bostonian, Every Experience," February 17, 2021; Annissa Essaibi George's 2021 campaign website, "Why I'm Running," accessed August 11, 2021; NBC Boston, "NBC10 Boston, NECN and Telemundo Boston Host Preliminary Mayoral Debate," September 8, 2021; CBS Boston, "Watch The Full WBZ-TV/CBSN Boston Mayoral Debate," October 13, 2021; YouTube, "Doing the Work," October 12, 2021; Annissa Essaibi George's 2021 campaign website, "About Annissa," accessed August 11, 2021
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Boston in 2021.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Boston City Council At-Large member (Assumed office: 2014)
Submitted Biography: "Growing up, I never thought I would run for office one day. As the daughter of immigrants, I understood from my youngest days how my family and so many others feel unseen and unheard in our society. When my mom began struggling with mental illness as I was finishing college, I became her caregiver and raised my sisters. In those days as we were trying to figure out how to go on in the depths of family crisis, it felt like we were alone, invisible, and powerless. I am living the stakes of the challenges that our city currently faces. I’m a Boston Public Schools mom, a caregiver, daughter of immigrants, and regular MBTA rider. But I also know what’s possible through city government in Boston. In my eight years as an At-Large Councilor representing the entire city, I’ve delivered on progressive change through building coalitions for fearless leadership. In partnership with community, we’ve passed groundbreaking legislation and stood up for Bostonians to tackle seemingly impossible challenges. I have a track record of building coalitions to empower organizing and activism. From municipal legislative pushes, to statewide conversations on public transportation, to empowering grassroots organizing through Democratic ward committees, I’ve had an impact on building activism through shifting the political ecosystem. "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Boston in 2021.
Noteworthy endorsements
Click the links below for endorsements listed on candidates' websites.
The following table shows endorsements issued after the September 14, 2021, primary. The "Previously endorsed" column shows the name of a primary election candidate if the person or group endorsed a different candidate in the primary.
| Noteworthy endorsements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Essaibi George | Wu | Prevoiusly endorsed | |||
| Newspapers and editorials | ||||||
| Boston Herald editorial staff[17] | ✔ | |||||
| Boston Globe editorial board[18] | ✔ | Andrea Joy Campbell | ||||
| El Planeta[19] | ✔ | |||||
| Elected officials | ||||||
| Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)[20] | ✔ | |||||
| U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)[21] | ✔ | |||||
| State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D) | ✔ | |||||
| State Rep. Liz Miranda (D) | ✔ | |||||
| State Rep. Jay Livingstone (D) | ✔ | |||||
| State Rep. Adrian Madaro (D)[22] | ✔ | |||||
| City Councilor/Acting Mayor Kim Janey | ✔ | |||||
| City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo | ✔ | |||||
| 2017 mayoral candidate/former City Councilor Tito Jackson[23] | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Individuals | ||||||
| Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D)[24] | ✔ | |||||
| Organizations | ||||||
| IBEW Local 103 | ✔ | |||||
| Sprinkler Fitters Local 550 | ✔ | |||||
| Local 223 Laborers'[25] | ✔ | |||||
| Iron Workers Local 7[26] | ✔ | |||||
| Painters and Allied Trades DC35[27] | ✔ | |||||
| SEIU 888 | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Carmen's Union Local 589[28] | ✔ | |||||
| SEIU 1199 | ✔ | |||||
| 32BJ SEIU | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| SEIU 509[29] | ✔ | |||||
| Laborers' Local 22[30] | ✔ | |||||
| Jamaica Plain Progressives | ✔ | |||||
| WAKANDA II[31] | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts[32] | ✔ | |||||
| UFCW Local 1445 | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters[33] | ✔ | |||||
| Chinese Progressive Political Action (CPPA)[34] | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Right to the City Vote[34] | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Mijente[34] | ✔ | Kim Janey | ||||
| Working Families Party[35] | ✔ | |||||
| Bay State Stonewall Democrats[36] | ✔ | |||||
| Click here for endorsements issued ahead of the September 14, 2021, primary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Issue positions
The following were candidates' positions on some of the key policy issues in the race.
Police funding, staffing, and role
- Essaibi George: The following is an excerpt from an op-ed on public safety from Essaibi George published on July 20, 2021:
| “ |
Boston needs both reforms to policing and safe neighborhoods. Choosing one over the other is an unnecessary and harmful false choice. ... A racial justice issue, a public health issue and a public safety issue, gun violence is an epidemic that strikes our streets every day. Gun violence will not end with defunding the police or hastily slashing the Boston Police Department budget. To ensure both a safe and just Boston requires a multifaceted and coordinated response and investments in community policing, relationship building with neighborhood leaders and organizations, appropriate police staffing and enforcement, and community programming and initiatives across our city.[44][45] |
” |
- Wu: Wu's campaign website stated the following in a section on public safety:
| “ |
Delivering public safety through a lens of public health and community trust requires urgent action to rebuild the culture and structure of the Boston Police Department. We must deliver structural changes that go beyond announcements or goals, and instead are embedded in the collective bargaining agreements with the City. We need a contract that gets to the root of the cultural and systemic reforms we need — full transparency and true accountability for misconduct, reducing wasteful overtime spending to reinvest those funds in neighborhood-level services, and removing the functions of traffic enforcement and social services from the department’s purview.[46][45] |
” |
Housing
Rent control
- Essaibi George said the following about rent control in an interview with WBUR:
| “ |
Housing is too expensive for too many families in Boston, but rent control isn’t the best way to fix that. While rent control appears to help existing tenants in the short term, in the long term, it decreases affordability, fuels gentrification, and pushes people further and further away from our neighborhoods. We need solutions that get to the root of the problem: better paths to homeownership, more affordable housing, creating generational wealth to break down systemic racism, and increasing equity across every neighborhood.[47][45] |
” |
- Wu said the following about rent control in an interview with Boston.com:
| “ |
Rent stabilization is not a generator of affordable housing, and over the long run, it has the opposite impact. But it’s very important that, if we want to be a city where all income levels are represented, where we are not displacing families of color at an accelerating rate out of Boston, we need to take steps for immediate relief for families and ensure that we’re managing both the increase in supply and the transition period where our residents shouldn’t be facing double-digit rent increases, year after year after year.[48][45] |
” |
Eviction moratorium
After the federal eviction moratorium in response to the COVID-19 pandemic ended in August 2021, Boston Mayor Kim Janey implemented an eviction moratorium in the city.[49] The following are statements from the candidates on banning evictions.
- Essaibi George: Essaibi George said the following in a statement after Janey banned evictions.
| “ |
Nobody should lose their home right now. ... Boston has received the federal funding — in historic sums — to recover from and manage this crisis. But with a lack of leadership and slow execution in getting these critical funds into programs that will help those facing housing instability, we are instead scrambling to put a band-aid over a bullet hole.[49][45] |
” |
- Wu: Wu's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Due to the stresses of the pandemic, renters are struggling to afford to stay housed. We must commit to providing immediate support to families through rental relief and a moratorium on evictions. A crisis of this magnitude will have dramatic ripple effects: a reduction in educational attainment, employment and lifetime savings, and a higher incidence of a lifetime of health issues.[50][45] |
” |
Interviews and questionnaires
Boston.com interviews
Click candidates' names below to read their Boston.com interviews.
October
August
Boston.com also asked published candidate responses to readers' questions in July. Read candidates' responses here.
NBC10 Boston interviews
NBC10 Boston conducted one-on-one video interviews and published candidates' responses to questions. Click here to view them.
WBUR interviews
October
August
Jamaica Plain News Q&A
WBZ TV/CBSN Boston interviews
WCVB interviews
Real Talk for Change interviews
Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
Annissa Essaibi George
Essaibi George's campaign website stated the following.
| “ |
Policy & Platforms All of our policy plans have been informed and developed by local advocates, stakeholders, and most importantly, Boston residents who were gracious enough to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences at my town halls, through emails and phone calls, and even in line at the grocery store. These public policy plans are living, breathing documents that are never fully finished—and that’s how it should be. We welcome additional thoughts and feedback, and as your Mayor, Annissa will continue to ensure that you and every other resident in this city has a seat at the table. There’s a lot to do. Let’s do the hard work, together. Climate “From rising sea levels to flooding, air pollution to extreme temperatures, the evidence is clear: climate change is a threat to Boston’s people and neighborhoods.” As Mayor of Boston, Annissa will lead on climate action with a community-based approach to ensure each and every resident in every neighborhood has the opportunity to shape the policy and initiatives to tackle climate change and environmental injustice. Annissa knows that too many conversations surrounding climate policy neglected to address the real, everyday environmental injustices that disproportionately impact our communities of color and low-income communities. To do the work effectively, Annissa’s approach will begin with the frontline communities whose health and safety are most at risk. Annissa believes that the first step in Boston becoming a national leader on climate action is to start here at home. That means taking proactive steps in our communities, including: mitigating how air pollution affects residents living under flight paths, protecting our coastal neighborhoods from sea-level rise and flooding, improving public transit to encourage ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and growing our tree canopy. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Economic Justice & Workers' Rights “Boston has the opportunity and responsibility to learn from our past, and not just rebuild our economy, but build a better economy that works for everyone.” As we look to recover from the pandemic, we have an opportunity to not only bounce back from the past year, but prioritize building an economy that works for everyone. Annissa firmly believes that the prosperity of our City’s economy goes hand in hand with achieving economic justice for every single resident. As Mayor she will fight back against economic inequality, close the racial wealth gap, and build an economy centering shared success and all of Boston’s hard working residents. For too long, our economy has neglected our residents of color. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, white households in Boston have a median net worth of $247,500, while Boston’s Black households have a median net worth of $8. Further, white households are more likely than nonwhite households to hold liquid assets, and are better equipped to handle unexpected financial setbacks. This must change. Boston has to be intentional in providing more pathways to homeownership and capital, increased access to education and workforce training, and build neighborhoods with reliable transportation options and core job centers. As Mayor, Annissa will: Establish a City of Boston Department of Economic Justice & Workers’ Rights
As Mayor, Annissa will: Tackle the Racial Wealth Gap The racial wealth gap in Boston is a product of a long history of systemic racism and inequities that have led to the inability of people of color to grow intergenerational wealth. As Mayor, Annissa will seek to minimize the racial wealth gap through the following multifaceted initiatives:
Invest in Workforce Development
Leverage City Services to Advance Economic Equity in Boston
Fight for Social Justice
Improve Access to Financial Services
WORKERS’ RIGHTS Annissa knows that when our workers succeed, Boston succeeds. As a former longtime Boston Teachers Union (BTU) member, she has lived the struggles of organized labor— members fighting day in and day out for simply a voice in the workplace. Boston’s thriving middle class is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our strong unions that continue to fight for that voice. As Mayor, Annissa will be an advocate for workers’ rights by strengthening our City’s unions and collective bargaining rights to raise wages, increase benefits, maintain safe working conditions, and give labor a seat at the policymaking table. She is committed to advocating for and amplifying the voices of our unions in Boston and across the region. As Mayor, Annissa will: Support our Labor Unions and Expand Collective Bargaining Rights
Fight for Increased Wages, Fair Benefits and Safe Working Conditions
Education & Child Care “I am a former Boston Public Schools teacher at East Boston High School. It has made me a fierce advocate for access to a great education for all. But it also gave me a front row seat to the challenges that our families face day in and day out.” As Mayor, Annissa will use her experience as a Boston Public Schools teacher, a Boston Public Schools parent, a Boston Public Schools graduate, and current Chair of Boston City Council’s Committee on Education to ensure that every child has equal access to high quality schools and the necessary resources for lifelong success. She will rebuild trust with school communities by creating a transparent and responsive school system for Boston Public School (BPS) students, educators, and families. Under her leadership, every school will be a high quality school. Annissa believes that every kid deserves access to a great school, and with her lifelong dedication to the Boston Public Schools, she will provide the stable leadership our City needs to implement immediate operational reforms and to dismantle systemic barriers to equity. Today, the greatest challenge facing Boston Public Schools (BPS) is the lack of access to high quality schools for every student in each of our neighborhoods. The inconsistency in the quality of our schools is directly linked to declining enrollment, a widening opportunity and achievement gap, and a lack of trust in BPS to provide our kids with the education they deserve. Annissa will prioritize establishing equitable baseline standards and resources in every school, including ensuring that every school has appropriate staffing ratios for nurses and school psychologists, fighting for a budget for BPS that provides equitable funding across our schools, and creating a clear academic path for students by organizing the grade configuration system to become primarily a K-6/7-12 and K-8/9-12 system. As demonstrated by the rise of chronic absenteeism during the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on academic performance and on mental health must be a top priority in our schools. Annissa will address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our City’s students, with a particular focus on mitigating existing inequities that have been further exacerbated by the pandemic. In promoting safe, in-person instruction, academic supports, and social emotional programming, her administration will usher in a brighter future for our City’s students. Her commitment to transparency, reliance on data, and focus on stakeholder ownership and voice will ensure that all students get what they need to be successful. In order for students to succeed, they need a strong foundation of literacy in their early education. The failure to invest in early detection and intervention places children at a greater risk of dropping out, poor health, unemployment, and incarceration. With the disproportionate impact of this crisis on students of color and ELL students, strengthening literacy is essential to closing the opportunity and achievement gap. As Mayor, Annissa will be an advocate for every child, making sure that they have access to the educational opportunities and resources that they need to read. Investing in vocational and technical education will ensure our students are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities in our labor market. Annissa will prioritize improvements to Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and vocational programs in BPS to provide our students with a strong foundation for lifelong success and career readiness after graduation. As a graduate of Boston Tech, Annissa has firsthand experience with the benefits of technical training and believes that vocational education is an essential foundation to a well-rounded and rigorous academic experience. Annissa believes the City of Boston must invest in early education and care infrastructure, just as it does our roadways, health care, and parks because it is foundational to the developmental health and wellbeing of children and is ultimately the largest driver of lifetime outcomes. Annissa is committed to ensuring that Boston families have access to quality, universal early education and child care. To do this, she will not only be a fierce advocate for the proposed Common Start state legislation, but also leverage partnerships with workplaces, our schools, organizations, advocates, families, and current providers. Oftentimes, achievement gaps begin before our students enter the classroom. When our community-based providers, home providers and private providers receive the resources and support they need, our families and our City’s youngest thrive and succeed. While early education and child care in and of itself is great for the development of children, Annissa knows that it is also critical infrastructure for a thriving economy. Having adequate education centers and community providers gives an opportunity for women, who are often the primary caregivers, to enter or re-enter the workforce, while also benefiting family members that work non-traditional work hours. Annissa will also work to make it easier for small business owners to get licensed and start a provider service to support the City’s educators and reduce the seat gap in Boston. COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Building Something Better COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequities in BPS while also creating unforeseen challenges in the BPS system. As demonstrated by the rise of chronic absenteeism during the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on academic performance and on mental health must be a top priority in our schools. As Mayor, Annissa will address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our City’s students, with a particular focus on mitigating existing inequities that have been further exacerbated by the pandemic. In promoting safe, in-person instruction, academic supports, and social emotional programming, her administration will usher in a brighter future for our City’s students. Her commitment to transparency, reliance on data, and focus on stakeholder ownership and voice will ensure that all students get what they need to be successful. She will:
Establishing Equitable Baseline Standards and Resources in Every School Closing the opportunity and achievement gap must begin with establishing equitable baseline standards and resources in every school. Today, BPS exists as a system of inequitable schools where families are forced to compete for a seat at a high quality school. Due to the extreme variations in the quality of learning opportunities, resources, and facilities, the school assignment process continues to exacerbate racial and socioeconomic disparities. These inequities have created a limited number of high quality schools, forcing families to leave the district entirely to provide their child with the education that they deserve. The major disparities within the quality of schools has created a system of stand-alone schools, instead of an equitable school district. Annissa believes that every school should be high quality. In order to achieve educational equity, she will ensure that every school is equipped with the baseline services and resources kids need to succeed. As Mayor, Annissa will:
High Quality Academics In BPS, the lack of district wide curriculum standards and equitable classroom resources continues to increase disparities between schools. Eliminating disparities in curriculum standards and classroom resources is a critical component of educational equity and making sure every school is high quality. Ensuring our students have access to a robust early education and elementary education curriculum is a critical foundation of a high quality education. In addition to rigorous academics, we must ensure access to enrichment opportunities for lifelong success including financial literacy, arts and music, athletics, CPR training, health and wellness, nutrition and cooking, and life skills classes. In order to achieve lasting and meaningful equity in all of our public schools, we must guarantee high quality academics programming in every school. As Mayor, Annissa will establish equity in BPS by reforming the district’s system of academics to:
Literacy Persistent declines in fourth grade MCAS reading scores and City divestment in school reading specialists speak to a growing literacy crisis within BPS. In order for students to succeed, they need a strong foundation of literacy. The failure to invest in early detection and intervention places children at a greater risk of dropping out, poor health, unemployment, and incarceration. With the disproportionate impact of this crisis on students of color and ELL students, strengthening literacy is essential to closing the opportunity and achievement gap. We must improve elementary grade literacy support in order to avoid cascading issues later in elementary, middle and high school. Strong literacy skills build a solid foundation for learning, growth and opportunities for future success. As Mayor, Annissa will be an advocate for every child, making sure that they have access to the educational opportunities and resources that they need to read. She will:
Vocational Education & Madison Park Technical Vocational High School While most communities across the Commonwealth have access to a first class vocational technical education, students in Boston do not get this opportunity. Vocational education is critical to providing a high quality education. The City of Boston has only one vocational technical high school: Madison Park Technical Vocational High School (Madison Park). Madison Park should be the gem of our public schools system, yet decades of underfunding has caused significant vacancies and declining conditions. In order to provide our students with a strong foundation for lifelong success and career readiness after graduation, we must prioritize improvements to Madison Park and vocational programs in BPS. Investing in vocational and technical education will ensure our students are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities in our labor market. As a graduate of Boston Technical High School (now the O’Bryant), Annissa has firsthand experience with the benefits of technical training and believes that vocational education is an essential foundation to a well-rounded and rigorous academic experience. As Boston moves forward with the economic recovery after the COVID19 pandemic, our greatest challenge will be to ensure our workforce is prepared for the changing demands of the labor market. As Mayor, Annissa will establish a direct pipeline from Madison Park Technical Vocational High School to the workforce opportunities in the City of Boston:
Health Equity, Behavioral Health and Social Emotional Wellness Given the considerable time children spend in the classroom, our schools play a critical role to respond to the health needs of our students. Addressing the impact of health disparities is a critical component to closing the opportunity and achievement gap. Combined with the impact of COVID-19, the demand for health services, behavioral health support and social emotional wellness programs in our schools has become a necessity. Without a strong system of school based health services and social emotional support, BPS will continue to experience low levels of academic achievement, especially among our high needs students. By making sure our kids are healthy, we provide them the freedom to learn and create a strong foundation for life-long success. As Mayor, Annissa will make health equity, behavioral health and social-emotional wellness a priority in our schools by implementing the following initiatives:
Supporting High Needs Students BPS is home to the largest population of high needs students in the Commonwealth, with approximately 76% of students classified as low-income, economically disadvantaged, ELL, or students with disabilities. We need to do more for our children, especially our most vulnerable, to ensure we are giving them the full range of resources and support they need to have an equal opportunity for success. As Mayor, Annissa will prioritize investments for our high needs students to ensure that every kid has access to the services and supports they need. She will:
Rebuilding Trust with School Communities In recent years, the absence of stable governance within BPS has fostered deep mistrust for BPS families and educators. The lack of consistent leadership, along with announcements of grade reconfigurations, school closures, and budget uncertainties, has caused many BPS families to sense a real management vacuum. Many families have felt that nobody was actually listening to their concerns. In addition, insufficient translation and communications services for ELL families continues to present a major barrier for BPS families. As Mayor, Annissa will lead in partnership with school communities to improve engagement with BPS families and rebuild trust with school communities. She will also build and strengthen relationships within our school community that start long before our children enter the classroom. She will:
BPS Facilities Reform Studies on the opportunity and achievement gap prove that the conditions of school facilities have a direct impact on student learning. In Boston, decades of disinvestment from the local, state, and federal government has created major deficiencies in the quality of our school buildings. With an aging infrastructure and 27 grade configurations, the conditions of BPS facilities have exacerbated inequities. Consequently, the BuildBPS facilities plan has focused on long overdue improvements instead of on the major renovations promised to families and school communities. In addition to access to modern facilities, creating a high quality learning environment requires a strong foundation of school safety. Studies have shown a direct correlation between school safety and lower attendance rates and higher rates of chronic absences. When it comes to safe school environments, it’s more than locks and training. In order to create a school community that is safe and welcoming, it is critical to expand mental health support, implement sensible gun laws, and address trauma caused by violence outside of school. Under Annissa’s administration, BPS will experience significantly improved enrollment as our schools will become much more student-centric, high quality, and reliable places to learn and grow. As Mayor, Annissa will ensure all students have access to high-quality sustainable buildings, safe learning environments, clean grounds, and healthy air and water quality. She will:
BPS Central Office As Mayor, Annissa will foster a culture of collaboration and transparency across the BPS community through open lines of communication with all BPS staff and the School Committee. Annissa believes that with every dollar the City spends, there needs to be a clear benefit to our students, so, as Mayor, she will:
School Committee Reform As a BPS parent and former teacher, Annissa understands the need for greater transparency in the decision making process in the governance structure of the Boston School Committee. The Boston School Committee must be designed to prioritize the stability for our children’s futures while also providing accountability for the decisions. In order for our kids to receive the best education, we must reject any opportunity for special interest and political agendas from influencing the direction of our schools. Changes to the School Committee governance structure are essential to promoting a productive and straightforward dynamic between BPS families and the School Committee. As Mayor, Annissa will commit to establishing an appointed governance structure with appointments from the Mayor and the Boston City Council. She will:
Exam and Admissions Schools Annissa supports continuing to have an entrance exam for our City’s three exams schools, but believes the test must change to more accurately reflect our students’ current curriculum. All our students must have an equal opportunity to succeed, especially in our City’s exam schools. Many of our Black and brown students have already been let down by our education system by the time they take the exam. We need to better set all of our students up for success from the moment they first step foot in a classroom—earlier even—long before they are thinking about taking an exam, and intentionally focus on providing opportunities for each and every student. These considerations will also be applied to discussions around any BPS school that has an admissions policy. Our City’s schools should reflect our City’s diversity. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Transportation Reform In Boston, the district’s transportation system continues to present a major barrier for children to access a high quality education. While the BPS transportation system represents 10% of the overall budget for BPS, our students continue to experience unreliable and inefficient services. The rising transportation costs reflect the ongoing failures of the school assignment process which forces BPS students to travel long distances to attend school. As Mayor, Annissa will:
College and Career Readiness Our responsibility to educate our students extends beyond ensuring they complete their coursework and graduate from BPS. It continues as they choose to enter college, choose a career, and grow into their communities. We need to ensure our curriculum teaches them the necessary skills through meaningful college and career readiness efforts. In the same way that math, science, arts and language courses are necessary for preparing our students for a successful college education and career, we need to invest the life skills that will allow our children to succeed in every facet of their lives. As Mayor, Annissa will:
BPS Athletics As an East Boston High School softball coach and a mother of four boys participating in BPS athletic programs, Annissa understands the true educational value of sports for our students. The skills needed to succeed are developed when our students participate in sports. Attributes like teamwork, dealing with adversity, a strong work ethic and dedication will help our students achieve their goals in the classroom and beyond. As Mayor, Annissa will work to ensure strong participation, equity, and safety in BPS athletic programs. She will:
Universal Child Care Boston has been a leader in offering quality education for years, but many families are suffering when they can’t afford high quality early education and child care for their children. This is an important developmental period of a child’s life because they are forming academic and social skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Every child in Boston should have the opportunity to enroll in and attend a quality early education and care program, so as Mayor, Annissa will work to increase public investment to provide universal child care to Boston, and in the process, she will prioritize Boston’s lower-income and high-need families’ access to early education. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Support our Early Educators In Boston, and across the Commonwealth, there is now a shortage of qualified educators to serve in the field, making it challenging for programs to return to full capacity post pandemic. The teacher shortage is largely driven by the salaries paid to early educators which average $30,000 a year, 37% below their peers in the public school system. There are limited opportunities for continuing education in the early education space and the City has witnessed a decline in university programs specifically designed for this field. Further, teachers with an advanced degree are encouraged to take a teaching job in a higher grade level, because the benefits and salary are significantly improved. Highly-skilled teachers are leaving the sector because the jobs are not paying enough, and as a result, our children are left without opportunities. There are also many administrative and financial barriers that prevent qualified and enthusiastic teachers from opening their own child care centers. With this in mind, Annissa will implement thoughtful reforms that our early education teachers need to build a long, successful career educating the children of Boston and earn a living, while continuing to offer high quality care to the families in our community. She will: Create an Early Education Advisory Board
Improve Educator Compensation and Benefits
Attract Enthusiastic and Qualified Educators
Build Capacity in High Quality Early Education
Address the Seat Gap and Improve Support for Families Long before our students enter the classroom, they are learning about the world and developing skills that will accompany them throughout childhood. This is why a quality early education and care is so important to our children, our families, and our City. Unfortunately, many families struggle finding a program for their children because there are not enough seats in the city for every child. There are 900 center, family, and school-based providers in Boston that offer 29,000 seats and, as of 2017, Boston had almost 41,000 children that were ages 0 to 5. This leaves us with 12,000 children that do not have an early education option. It is even more difficult to find care for families that are living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, and incarceration—which is the case for about 27% of children in the city. Further, families are struggling to pay for early education. Massachusetts is the most expensive childcare state in the country. The seat gap in Boston is currently experiencing an all-time high because of the pandemic and we are seeing a further decline in accessible seats for children. (Source: 2019 Annual Report – State of Early Education and Care in Boston) Boston’s child care supply crisis is further exacerbated due to COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic hit our City, there were 679 early education programs, and by mid-February 2021 that number dropped to 573 programs. In Massachusetts alone, 755 childcare centers had to close their doors in 2020, according to the Department of Early Education and Care. (Source: BOA 2020 Early Education & Care Brief- Boston’s Child-Care Supply Crisis: What a Pandemic Reveals) Annissa believes the City of Boston must invest in early education infrastructure as a public good, just as it does our roadways, health care, and parks. As Mayor, she will address this issue to ensure that every child in Boston has entry to an early education program that is high quality and accessible to all. Annissa will: Expand Funding Opportunities for Families
Improve Quality of Early Education
Increase Access to Early Education
Encourage Families to Enroll in Licensed Programs and Engage in Early Education Practices
Improve City Services and Funding The effects of quality early education touch every part of a community. By investing in these early stages of child development, Boston residents will reap the benefits for years to come. Children are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to earn degrees, and achieve their goals. High-quality early education is critical for family members because they are able to go to work, make a living and contribute to the City’s economy. It is a benefit that will incentivize families to move to Boston and build their homes, business, and livelihoods. It should be a top priority for the City of Boston to make the investment in the future of our children and Annissa will take the following steps to fulfill that promise: Address Issues of Funding
A Quick Note from Annissa This plan has been informed and developed by local advocates and stakeholders on my policy committees, and most importantly, Boston residents who were gracious enough to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences at my town halls, through emails and phone calls, and even in line at the grocery store. Thank you to all. My public policy plans are living, breathing documents that are never fully finished—and that’s how it should be. I welcome additional thoughts and feedback, and as your Mayor, will continue to ensure that you and every other resident in this city has a seat at the table. There’s a lot to do. Let’s do the hard work, together. To provide feedback, thoughts and ideas on this plan, initiatives or other public policy issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to policy@annissaforboston.com. Equity, Inclusion & Justice “I believe in a Boston that sees the inequities and everyday injustices and tackles them head on.” As Mayor of Boston, I will ensure that Boston is intentional in rooting out inequity and dismantling racism in our city–from education and housing, to climate and health care, and even how and when potholes are filled and sidewalks are fixed. As I stated when I first announced my candidacy, I believe in a Boston that sees the inequities and everyday injustices and tackles them head on. I will not shy away from the tough conversations and hard work that need to happen in order to build a better city for all who call Boston home. This process and plan underscores my commitment to be intentional in my words and actions to name and eradicate racism and discrimination in city business, policies, and initiatives, and be deliberate in ensuring that Black and brown, immigrant and refugee, women, working class, LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities, as well as the voices of those aging and with disabilities, are heard and elevated. Make no mistake, I fully recognize that I will—and need to—be constantly learning in this space. Creating a more equitable, inclusive and just Boston will be a charge in which I will intentionally and deliberately work towards every day. That being said, to better understand the everyday, systemic barriers that are placed in front of our disenfranchised communities, I will choose to listen and learn from those who have the lived experiences to inform this fight. I will continue to build a diverse group of advisors to help educate and guide decisions. This plan is nowhere near finished. It will be a constant work in progress—as will I and my Administration—in building a better Boston for all. For all of those who have been living this fight and doing this work, thank you. I hope to amplify and build upon your work and your voices. For everyone else, I hope you join me. This will take all of us. If you would like to contribute to this plan, provide feedback, or have a conversation on how I can do better, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at equity@annissaforboston.com. Inclusive & Thoughtful Growth “Inclusive, thoughtful growth and master planning is what will build better, stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across our entire city.” As Mayor of Boston, Annissa will ensure that equity, transparency, and accountability are at the forefront of the conversation around planning and development. Development should not benefit a chosen few and push people out, instead Annissa believes we must leverage development to create better connected, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods. By constructing more affordable housing, community space, green space, and job centers throughout our city, we use development to lift up all of Boston. Annissa will leverage the tools created by Boston’s building boom for public good—harnessing new development so that our communities reap the benefits. Annissa recognizes that the current development process has left many residents and communities behind. Creating more predictable processes and timelines better enables Bostonians to contribute to the stabilization, strengthening, and growth of their city. Annissa will listen and respond to residents’ voices during every step of the development process, understanding that development – and the development process – is not a one-size-fits all neighborhood system. Our residents should help drive the process of shaping their streets, their neighborhoods and their city.
As Mayor, Annissa will:
Housing & Homelessness “Boston’s residents are struggling to pay rent, our families can’t find or afford stable housing, and too many individuals are experiencing chronic homelessness. COVID-19 has only emphasized these realities, and their effects will last long after the pandemic.” HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS As Mayor, Annissa will make it possible for everyone to call Boston home. She will create better pathways to homeownership, relieve pressure in the market leading to higher rents, and build more affordable housing. Along with focusing on closing the wealth gap for Boston’s Black and brown residents, Annissa will prioritize establishing more connected neighborhoods by building affordable housing close to job centers, public transit, and green space. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the fragility of our housing market. As eviction moratoriums, mortgage forbearance programs, and stimulus funds end, we need to protect and to support at-risk populations and the housing stock they live in. To ensure a more equitable and stable future for all Bostonians, Annissa will take proactive measures to ensure housing stability through investments in foreclosure prevention programs to protect vulnerable tenants during this uncertain time. Annissa realizes the urgent need for housing that is affordable for all families in every neighborhood. Though recent years have seen important changes in terms of housing supply in the city, Annissa is committed to doing the necessary work to expand our housing supply to meet the constant needs and realities of Boston’s families. In the last seven years, we have successfully increased the housing supply in the City after decades of little growth. As of October 2019, over 30,000 residential units had been permitted, with approiximately 10,000 more units approved by Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) in 2020; however, Annissa realizes this is not enough. Recognizing that our city is growing, and that more and more people want to live here every day, Annissa will fight to remove the serious obstacles in achieving this dream not only for our future residents, but for our current residents too. She will leverage new development to create better connected, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods to build better, stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across our entire city. Throughout her time on the City Council, and as the founder of the Boston City Council’s Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health and Recovery, Annissa has been a fierce champion for families experiencing homelessness. She has pledged to end family homelessness in Boston and will continue to fight for our children, families, veterans, older adults, and others experiencing housing instability as Mayor. She will prioritize prevention efforts, address and repair gaps in the service delivery system, coordinate and align resources across the continuum of care and make the housing search less burdensome for families in Boston. CREATING AN AFFORDABLE CITY FOR ALL WHO CALL BOSTON HOME Affordability and accessibility of both rental units and homes for sale is key for a thriving city. We need to ensure that everyone who wants to call Boston home has the opportunity, option and a pathway to ownership to do so. We must start by building more housing and ensuring what we build is actually affordable for Boston’s residents. Our housing stock must also be a reflection of the needs of our residents. While Annissa is committed to increasing affordability across the board, her main focus is to create housing for the many residents and families that don’t qualify for subsidized housing, but still cannot afford to pay market rate. This large gap is giving low to middle income families no choice but to leave the city. We need affordable, multi-bedroom housing for our families and we need to push developers to build it. Alongside building with our families in mind, Boston also needs congregate housing, artists’ live and work space, workforce housing, and senior housing, including housing for those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or older residents with disabilities. As Mayor, Annissa is committed to increasing homeownership in the City, with a particular focus on improving access for historically underserved communities. Annissa will break cycles of systemic racism and to aid in building generational wealth and pathways to homeownership for marginalized populations in Boston. Since the housing crash of 2008, Boston has lost ground in creating homeownership opportunities; this reality is exacerbated by race, as the City has one of the largest racial homeownership gaps in the country. In order to increase long term stability in our housing market, it is important to create more permanent pathways to homeownership and to the generational wealth that comes from owning a home. In order to address the affordable housing crisis and the racial wealth gap, we need to make sure our investments in affordable rental units and homeownership units are aligned. Many of the residents in our City-funded rental units are paying about 70 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), which equates to $1,400 a month for a one bedroom unit. In many instances, that would equate to a monthly mortgage payment, so we must ensure that homeownership is accessible and residents are aware of the City tools and resources that are at their disposal when exploring housing options. As Mayor, Annissa will: Increase our housing supply to ensure it reflects the realities of Boston’s residents; and develop and expand tools and resources to keep and make existing housing affordable
Create better pathways to homeownership, especially for Boston’s historically underserved populations and communities She will:
Leverage development to benefit residents and our neighborhoods Annissa will:
MAKING THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING PROCESSES OF HOUSING MORE ACCESSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT For our city to grow and thrive, we need to leverage new development to create better connected, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods. Inclusive, thoughtful growth and master planning is what will build better, stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across our entire city. Annissa recognizes that the current development process has left many residents and communities behind. She will listen and respond to residents’ voices during every step of the development process, understanding that development – and the process behind it – is not a one-size-fits all system. Our residents should help drive the process of shaping their streets, their neighborhoods and their city. The City of Boston’s planning, development and building processes must be more accessible and transparent to ensure that any growth or change lifts up our neighborhoods and its people. Annissa will prioritize planning that addresses the needs and wants of Boston’s specific neighborhoods and communities, while also carrying out an overall, cohesive city-wide vision for growth. From conducting more thorough outreach to neighborhoods ahead of community meetings, to making our development and zoning processes more consistent and predictable, to creating a planning office separate from the BPDA, Annissa is determined to make the City’s processes more streamlined, understandable, and inclusive. As Mayor, Annissa will:
ENSURE HOUSING STABILITY THROUGH EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND FIGHTING AGAINST DISPLACEMENT AND DISCRIMINATION Annissa is committed to crafting intentional and mindful approaches to managing the impact of COVID-19 on housing access in Boston. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the fragility of our housing market. As eviction moratoriums, mortgage forbearance programs, and stimulus funds end, we need to protect and to support at-risk populations and the housing stock they live in. To ensure a more equitable and stable future for all Bostonians, Annissa will take proactive measures to ensure housing stability through investments in foreclosure prevention programs to protect vulnerable tenants during this uncertain time. She will also evaluate existing affordable housing developments, including the Boston Housing Authority, to make sure their eviction prevention programs are adequate and reflective of the challenging reality of today. Annissa will approach policy solutions with a mind towards equity and stability for all Bostonians. To better assist and support our city’s tenants, we need to expand and strengthen the City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability and its programming and take proactive measures to ensure housing stability for all in Boston. As Mayor, Annissa will
Reorganize and enhance the City of Boston’s Fair Housing Commission
Support our Aging Residents and their ability to age in their communities Annissa realizes the importance of giving our aging residents the option to age in community. More must be done to encourage the creation of more senior-specific housing and ensure that those who have made Boston their home can stay here. Boston’s older residents are often forced to give up their longstanding social ties to communities as a result of a lack of financial access. Our neighborhoods are made better by their presence, and we must support residents to age in the community they call home by creating more secure and accessible affordable housing options, including housing for older residents who identify as LGBTQIA+ or older residents with disabilities. As Mayor, Annissa will:
HOMELESSNESS END HOMELESSNESS IN BOSTON As Mayor, Annissa will continue to build upon her work on the City Council to end homelessness for Boston’s veterans, youth and young adults, older adults, and families. As the founder of the Boston City Council’s Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health, and Recovery, Annissa has a deep understanding of the reality of homelessness in our city, and she is dedicated to finding substantive and meaningful long-term solutions for Boston’s residents and families. Given her deep commitment and her experience-based understanding of the importance of access to stable and safe housing in shaping the futures of families, Annissa is uniquely well-suited to address the ongoing family housing crisis in Boston. In particular, she understands the impact of housing instability on children’s well-being and is determined to ensure that children have consistent housing so that they can thrive, educationally, emotionally, and socially. She will: Prioritize prevention to catch residents at risk of homelessness before they become homeless
Aggressively address systemic breakdowns in our service delivery system for children and families experiencing homelessness
Resource realignment
Make the housing search easier and more accessible
A Quick Note from Annissa This plan has been informed and developed by local advocates and stakeholders on my policy committees, and most importantly, Boston residents who were gracious enough to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences at my town halls, through emails and phone calls, and even in line at the grocery store. Thank you to all. My public policy plans are living, breathing documents that are never fully finished—and that’s how it should be. I welcome additional thoughts and feedback, and as your Mayor, will continue to ensure that you and every other resident in this city has a seat at the table. There’s a lot to do. Let’s do the hard work, together. To provide feedback, thoughts and ideas on this plan, initiatives or other public policy issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to policy@annissaforboston.com. Public Health “And while Boston is an incredible place to call home, COVID has shone a bright light on our shortcomings and disparities.” Annissa’s plan for a healthier Boston is one that increases access to care, but also tackles the inequities that determine our health outcomes. From air quality to access to healthy foods, gun violence to maternal health, open green space to reliable transportation options, these all—and much more—contribute to the health of our city and its residents. By utilizing our leading Community Health Center infrastructure and hospitals, advocating for mental health access, getting every Boston resident a primary care provider and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods, Annissa will fight day after day to ensure every resident in Boston is safe, happy and healthy. Annissa’s public health plan is centered around the community health care model. Throughout her time on the Boston City Council and as the longest serving Board member of her neighborhood health center, the Dorchester House Health Center, Annissa knows the critical role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in the health of Boston. In addition to providing primary care, CHCs provide comprehensive community services to address food insecurity, housing instability, behavioral health, immigration support, and other social determinants of health. Because along with a lack of coverage and care for too many, there are persistent racial inequities that plague our systems and everyday lives in this city–all leading to disparate health outcomes dependent on race, ethnicity, gender, and the neighborhood in which you live. As community led institutions, CHCs are uniquely positioned to combat these, provide culturally competent care, and improve the health of all Bostonians. As our city copes with the devastation and loss of the COVID-19 pandemic, Annissa believes a true mental and behavioral health crisis is imminent and that we must be prepared to combat it. Having always recognized that mental health and recovery services are an integral part of keeping Boston’s families healthy, she has long been a leader in the fight for greater access to mental and behavioral health services. Annissa will prioritize access to mental and behavioral health services for all, improve school-based services, combat stigma, increase availability of treatment options across the recovery spectrum, decentralize recovery services, continue to expand on the regional response to the opioid crisis, as well as reopen and reimagine the Long Island Recovery Campus. The Boston Public Health Commission is the oldest health department in the United States and Annissa believes that it should be a proud asset of the City of Boston. The Commission’s goal is to make recommendations that inform health care access and delivery to every resident in the city. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, too many Bostonians are unable to get appropriate health care based on their neighborhood and many struggle to make their voices heard. Annissa believes that the Commission should be responsive to the unique needs of Boston’s health care system by improving access to primary and specialty care services, and promoting an equitable geographic distribution of care. Given the urgency of the pandemic and subsequent recovery, the BPHC desperately needs bold reform, complete transparency and accountability to the residents of Boston. COVID-19 Recovery: Lessons Learned and Building Something Better COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, our economy, and our public health systems. The next Mayor will need the leadership to not only see our city through an immediate recovery, but a long-term vision to help Boston through this next chapter and build a stronger and more accessible health care system. This pandemic has made it perfectly clear: our health care system, even in the world-class city of Boston, is broken. Too many of our most vulnerable residents are left out and left behind. As Mayor, Annissa will center these communities in the fight to rebuild a better system for all. Annissa will not only work to restore the health of all Bostonians and decrease disparities, but rebuild trust in our public health infrastructure, develop a systematic approach to public health emergencies, and ensure state and federal funding directly benefits the institutions, organizations and residents who need it most. As Mayor, Annissa will:
A Community-Driven Approach Annissa believes that access to high quality, affordable health care should not be a privilege enjoyed by the few, but must be a fundamental right enjoyed by all. Improving care requires facilities and providers to work together with the City of Boston and other relevant agencies to expand access, increase quality and reduce disparities. Annissa’s vision for public health will be centered around the community health care model. As community led institutions, our community health centers are uniquely positioned to combat systemic barriers to health equity and reduce racial socioeconomic health disparities. In addition to providing primary care, they provide comprehensive community services to address food insecurity, housing instability, behavioral health, immigration support, and other social determinants of health. Support Our Community Health Centers and Invest in Boston’s Health Care Workforce Annissa will establish community health care centers as the foundation of Boston’s health care system to achieve equity for all Boston residents. Not only do they provide primary care and preventative services, but they also play a critical role in the holistic health of individuals in our city. From meeting language needs to hosting tax workshops, sponsoring senior yoga classes to helping to house homeless individuals and families, community based care centers deliver for Boston’s neighborhoods and Annissa will leverage their strength to build a stronger, more equitable health care system. As Mayor, Annissa will give them the necessary support in order to continue providing the best possible care to our most vulnerable residents. These institutions have worked hard to build trust within the communities they serve and they will be critical partners in our work to increase access to care across all of Boston. As the longest serving board member and lifelong patient of her local community health center, Annissa knows first hand the important role our community health centers have in delivering high quality care to underserved communities. With Annissa in City Hall, community health centers will form the foundation of all public health initiatives, priorities, and the overall agenda for the City. By establishing community health centers as the City’s public health infrastructure, Annissa will ensure every resident has access to low-cost, high quality healthcare with racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. To deliver the best care, build trust and relationships in our neighborhoods, and reduce disparities and inequitable outcomes across the city, we must better invest and grow Boston’s health care workforce. From providing better educational opportunities to increasing partnerships between institutions and our community health organizations, we have the ability to build a stronger and more diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. Integrating culturally competent care across the entire spectrum of care, will lead to increased engagement and better outcomes. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Focusing on the Social Determinants of Health Annissa’s vision for a healthier Boston is one that increases access to care, but also tackles the inequities that determine our health outcomes. From air quality to access to healthy foods, gun violence to housing, open green space to reliable transportation options, these all—and so very more—contribute to the health of our city and its residents. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Mental and Behavioral Health Despite the growing demand for mental health services, Boston lacks sufficient and adequate resources to ensure access to treatment. The shortage of service providers and high cost of treatment have created systemic barriers in our healthcare system. Within the population of individuals not receiving behavioral health services, 40% cite cost as the primary obstacle. In fact, insurance and Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services are so low that more than half of behavioral health providers do not accept insurance. These barriers disproportionately impact low income and underserved communities who face greater conditions of trauma, depression, violence, poverty and substance use disorders. With the added pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis of homelessness, mental health, and recovery presents one of the greatest challenges for our city. As the number of individuals suffering from addiction continues to skyrocket, Boston-based providers have expressed the need for a minimum of 2,500 additional long-term recovery beds statewide to adequately meet the demand for recovery services. These providers estimate that for every single long-term recovery bed, there is a waiting list of 30 individuals seeking access to the services that one bed can provide. The severity of this shortage is best demonstrated by the fact that the City has replaced every recovery bed from Long Island and we still lack sufficient capacity to meet the demand for services. Annissa will improve access to mental and behavioral health services for all, improve school-based services, combat stigma, increase availability of treatment options across the recovery spectrum, decentralize recovery services, continue to expand on the regional response to the opioid crisis, as well as reopen and reimagine the Long Island Recovery Campus. As Mayor, Annissa will strengthen and increase mental health services and programs for Boston residents. She will:
Mental Health Services for Children and School Based Mental Health With children spending more than half of their waking hours in schools, our school system must facilitate access to the necessary mental and behavioral health supports for our kids. The impact of the pandemic and school closures has created a sharp increase in the demand for mental health services for adolescents and young people. While hopeful the pandemic is coming to an end, Annissa believes that we must prioritize outreach and investments to address the mental health of our kids. As Mayor, Annissa will prioritize prevention and intervention services to ensure widely available mental health services for children in schools and community health centers. She will:
Improving Recovery Services Across the Commonwealth and the region, the City of Boston serves as the primary destination for support services for individuals in recovery. Due to the concentration of recovery services in Boston, our resources have reached their breaking point. The volume of services, compounded with the growth of the epidemic and the ever-changing substance combinations, exceed the capacity of our resources to combat the opioid crisis. Boston has demonstrated that a regional response is critical for a long-term and effective response to this crisis. Harm reduction is a proven and successful way that many individuals are able to access and engage with long-term treatment. The City has committed year-over-year since 2015 to increases in the Bureau of Recovery Services budget to expand these and other life-saving services; however, as with recovery and treatment services, many of these initiatives have remained housed at the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Blvd area (Mass and Cass) and created barriers for patients, providers, local business owners, and local residents alike. Annissa has been committed to harm reduction services and ongoing conversations about the Mass and Cass area since becoming an At-Large City Councilor in 2016. As Mayor, she will renew this commitment and take the necessary steps to decentralize services from Mass and Cass while creating safe and supportive additional services that share responsibility across Boston. Annissa will:
Transitioning, Reimagining and Reopening Long Island The Long Island Shelter closed in October 2014 as a result of the structural deterioration of a bridge connecting Squantum, a neighborhood in the City of Quincy, with Moon Island and Long Island. The closure of the Long Island Shelter created a ripple effect that is still impacting the City of Boston almost 7 years later. The impacts of this closure coupled with the opioid crisis has resulted in a sporadic and often disconnected web of recovery services throughout the City—with the epicenter of services at the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area (Mass and Cass). The tremendous demand for services from across the Commonwealth has increased the number of individuals seeking recovery and treatment services in that area year after year, straining the overall recovery system and the surrounding neighborhoods. Annissa believes we can reimagine and rebuild Long Island into a recovery services campus, addressing the needs of Commonwealth residents across the entire spectrum of care and successfully preparing them to live full, healthy lives after leaving the island. While this will take several years to complete, Annissa believes this long-term, capital investment will pay off dividends for Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As a longtime champion of access to life-saving recovery services and a strong proponent of increased mental health awareness across our City, Annissa is uniquely placed to lead the City forward on this issue through the following initiatives:
Violence and Trauma The connection between violence, trauma and public health is a strong one, and the neighborhoods in Boston that struggle with high crime rates, gun violence, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and drug use are deeply and disproportionately inflicted with extreme health issues. The mental health crisis is also exacerbated by too many Bostonians living in unsafe and traumatizing environments. As Mayor, Annissa will improve public health outcomes by prioritizing the safety of our city through the following steps:
Youth and Families Maternal and Infant Health Annissa understands the importance of prioritizing maternal and infant health access and support, because the steps taken during, before, and after pregnancy improve health outcomes for families across the city. Infant and maternal mortality rates, the most significant indicators of a community’s health, have steadily decreased in recent years but some racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities persist.
Healthy Children In addition to high quality health care, the conditions of a child’s immediate environment and community directly impacts their growth and development. Access to safe and healthy environments for children to live, learn, eat, and play is critical to ensure Boston’s children have a strong foundation for lifelong success and healthy outcomes as adults. As a mother of four teenage boys, Annissa understands the health patterns established during youth will help determine young people’s health status and their risk for developing chronic diseases during adulthood. In Boston, the persistent health inequities in our communities disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income residents. These disparities have led to higher rates of obesity, asthma, food insecurity, substance use disorders, depression and chronic stress among our marginalized children. As Mayor, Annissa will invest in the preventative measures and community resources to ensure every child in Boston has a strong start for lifelong success. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Aging Residents As Mayor, Annissa will support and strengthen the lives of older individuals in Boston. She will make bold improvements to programs that will optimize the health, safety and inclusion of Bostonians ages 55+. She will continue to invest in the generational diversity of our residents by cultivating a safe and healthy community with resources to make Boston an enjoyable place to grow older. In City Hall, Annissa will:
Bostonians with Disabilities Most Bostonians will experience a disability at some point during their lives, either personally or through someone they love. To improve health outcomes for all of our residents, it is crucial that we continue Boston’s work to create a more accessible and inclusive City for people with disabilities by addressing the challenges in accessibility of housing, employment, healthcare, transportation and City services. As Mayor, Annissa will be a strong advocate for Bostonians with disabilities and partner of the Boston’s Disabilities Commission by promoting equity so that residents with disabilities have the freedom and support to fully participate in all aspects of life in Boston. As Mayor, Annissa will:
Reforming the Structure of Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) The Boston Public Health Commission is the oldest health department in the United States and Annissa believes that it should be a proud asset of the City of Boston. The Commission’s goal is to make recommendations that inform health care access and delivery to every resident in the city. Unfortunately, too many Bostonians are unable to get appropriate health care based on their neighborhood and many struggle to make their voices heard. Annissa believes that the Commission should be responsive to the unique needs of Boston’s health care system by improving access to primary and specialty care services and promoting an equitable geographic distribution of care. Given the urgency of the pandemic and subsequent recovery, the BPHC desperately needs bold reform, complete transparency and accountability to the residents of Boston. As Mayor, Annissa will take the following steps to ensure that all Boston residents get the care they need:
A Quick Note from Annissa This plan has been informed and developed by local advocates and stakeholders on my policy committees, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), and most importantly, Boston residents who were gracious enough to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences at my town halls, through emails and phone calls, and even in line at the grocery store. Thank you to all. My public policy plans are living, breathing documents that are never fully finished—and that’s how it should be. I welcome additional thoughts and feedback, and as your Mayor, will continue to ensure that you and every other resident in this city has a seat at the table. There’s a lot to do. Let’s do the hard work, together. To provide feedback, thoughts and ideas on this plan, initiatives or other public policy issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to policy@annissaforboston.com. Mass & Cass Plan Early on in this campaign, I released a policy plan focused on tackling the citywide opioid epidemic, especially as it relates to the devastation at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Since April, when that plan was released, the public health crisis at Mass and Cass has intensified. Over the past six months we’ve seen an increase in tents, an uptick in violence, and new substances flood the area. Yet there has been no immediate plan, response or action from the city, state, or region to help those suffering here. The city of Boston continues to be the primary destination for support services for individuals in recovery, and because of this, we continue to bear the burden of this crisis. The concentration of recovery services at Mass and Cass alone has caused our resources to reach their breaking point. We need decisive, urgent action and a regional response to directly address this public health crisis, repair the continuum of care, and help individuals access recovery. While I’ve focused much of my work on the Council around the issues of mental health, substance use disorder, and homelessness, the powers that come with the Mayor’s Office would allow me to tackle this issue more effectively and efficiently. As Mayor, I will immediately direct the Boston Public Health Commission to declare a Public Health Emergency within a one mile radius of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. This will allow for a streamlined response from city agencies, as well as better service delivery and improved capacity for responsiveness. The zone will be overseen by a Mass and Cass Czar who will report directly to me as Mayor, and work in partnership with city and state agencies on a coordinated response. There is a significant amount of funds coming to Boston as part of the American Recovery Plan. We need to invest this money in services for the public good, for the public’s health. I’ve called for this funding to implement our updated plan, including a Public Health Surge at Mass and Cass with the goal of getting those suffering into recovery. This plan has been, and will continue to be, informed by my conversations with those not only doing the work at Mass and Cass, but with lived experiences in this space. Both them, and you, have my promise as Mayor to make progress on this plan on Day One of my administration. Declare a Public Health Emergency Zone at Mass and Cass. Direct the Boston Public Health Commissioner to declare a Public Health Emergency Zone (PHE Zone) for the Mass and Cass area. This zone will encompass the area within a one mile radius of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, and includes the communities of Newmarket, Roxbury, the South End, South Boston, Dorchester. This zone acknowledges that while the crisis is at its most acute at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass, every surrounding community has borne the impacts of this crisis. As part of this Public Health Emergency Zone, Annissa will take the following immediate steps: 1. Allocate $30 million in federal funding to implement this plan for Mass and Cass. 2. Use the Public Health Emergency Zone to create a special, singular district for first responder and city agencies including the Boston Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Works, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Department of Health and Human Services, Boston Inspectional Services Department, and Transportation departments to ensure better coordination, streamlined service delivery and improved capacity for responsiveness. Currently, the Mass and Cass area is served by multiple districts for these first responder and city agencies, including three Boston Police Department districts. 3. Appoint a Mass and Cass Czar who will report directly to the Mayor, and live within the Boston Public Health Commission. 4. Direct the Mass and Cass Czar, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, to:
5. Implement a Public Health Surge at Mass and Cass with the goal of getting those suffering into recovery. This would include a multi-day, coordinated effort between several city, state, and private agencies to provide direct services to individuals in need. Services could include: medical and wound care, dental care, hygiene services, eye exams/glasses, an opportunity for reunification, referral for additional services, and an immediate opportunity to enter detox with the promise of a recovery bed. Longer-Term Action Invest in Harm Reduction Strategies 1. Building on City Council work, expand access to and number of sites for safe needle disposal with the goal of establishing no less than 3 new Syringe Service Programs (SSP) in strategic locations outside of the Mass and Cass service area with evening and weekend availability. 2. Implement and invest in programming recommended by the Harm Reduction Working Group and Consumer Advisory Board. 3. Acknowledge and create women-specific and gender inclusive programming for the increasing number of unsheltered women and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are struggling with substance use disorder and being victimized by human trafficking. Increase Mental and Behavioral Health Resources 1. Decriminalize poverty, mental illness, and homelessness. 2. Implement cross-department and agency best practices and initiatives to adequately and efficiently help our most vulnerable residents. 3. Building on City Council work, prioritize funding for and increase the number of Boston Emergency Services Team (B.E.S.T.) clinicians to accompany first responders during a mental health intervention 4. Place a mental health clinician in every one of the City of Boston’s homeless shelters with 24/7 availability to facilitate engagement in services. 5. Increase community health center access to the state’s Roadmap for Behavioral Health, a state initiative that addresses the need for expanded and effective treatment and improved health equity by creating a centralized service that connects people to treatment resources and reforms outpatient treatment to be more accessible. 6. Create a city-wide database of providers and their specialty, and generate a mapping of clinical assets in Boston to inform residents of available resources, organizations, and programs. This database will include data on bed availability to improve access to mental health beds after discharge from Emergency Departments. Create More Housing 1. Preserve the nearly 500 shelter beds across the City created during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase recovery service capacity, decentralize services from the Mass Cass Area, and guarantee stronger pathways to permanent and supportive housing as well as employment. 2. Continue conversations with the State to explore future uses and possibilities regarding the former site of the Shattuck Hospital campus. Long Island Bridge & Recovery Campus 1. Continue to support city litigation to reopen the Long Island Campus as soon as possible and bring together stakeholders on Day One as Mayor to begin laying the groundwork for a reopened and reimagined Long Island Campus as a priority capital investment. 2. Convene stakeholders to establish a commission to build out programmatic components of the Long Island campus outside the direct realm of recovery, including housing opportunities, job training, health screenings, food access, and ongoing mental health services. 3. Determine the best ways to utilize and invest in a ferry service as a secondary mode of transportation to and from Long Island. Public Safety “I will lead with transparency and accountability to create a system that works for everyone. Boston can and must be both just and safe” As Mayor, Annissa will fight to ensure that Boston can be both safe and just, and the city will lead on reforms and demonstrate the benefit of community policing, transparency and accountability. A racial justice issue, a public health issue and a public safety issue, gun violence is an epidemic that strikes our streets every day. Boston requires a multifaceted and coordinated response and investments in community policing, relationship building with neighborhood leaders and organizations, appropriate police staffing and enforcement, and community programming and initiatives across our city. Annissa will work with our Boston Police Department to both implement necessary reforms and keep our residents safe. Justice and safety are not mutually exclusive, we just need to have the tough, honest conversations about the hard work that needs to be done to achieve both in this city. Because our neighborhoods — particularly those disproportionately impacted by this racism, violence and trauma — deserve better. Annissa will increase investments to community empowerment programs to improve relationships between officers and our neighborhoods, expand youth programming, attack the root causes of incarceration and involvement in the criminal justice system, and decriminalize mental illness, homelessness, and poverty. Annissa knows that a strong system of public safety requires trust between our communities and first responders. Our world-class EMS team and firefighters protecting our residents every day must have access to updated equipment and safe and healthy firehouses and bays. With the help of the city’s B.E.S.T. team—a group of mental health clinicians able to respond to crises—our EMTs and firefighters will be able to appropriately and quickly respond to calls for help. Amongst the City of Boston’s public safety agencies is a growing need for more diversity in the ranks. Annissa will fight for a more diverse police department, fire department, and EMS team that represent the populations they serve and build trust in all of Boston’s communities. POLICE
EMS
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Transportation As Mayor, better and bolder mobility solutions will be at the center of Annissa’s vision for Boston. Annissa will make getting around Boston more streamlined, safe, equitable, and predictable for all residents. As our climate changes our transportation infrastructure must change as well. Annissa will partner with stakeholders at the local and state level to ensure our transportation policies address our environmental and public health crises. Our existing public transit does not work the same for everyone. Boston’s low-income communities and communities of color are deeply impacted by the underfunded system that inhibits universal mobility, access and economic opportunity. Annissa recognizes the inequality embedded in our public transit and will work with those most affected to tackle these disparities head on. As Mayor, Annissa will:
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| —Annissa Essaibi George's 2021 campaign website[51] | ||
Michelle Wu
Wu's campaign website stated the following themes. See Wu's website for hyperlinks within her themes.
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Our policy platform is more than a vision. This moment is a call to action. To me, that means thinking big about how to build a more resilient, healthy, and fair Boston, and then having the courage and political will to fight for all of our families. We can make real investments in education, food access, and good jobs. We can build wealth in our communities by closing the racial wealth gap and supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurship. Our policy platform is more than a vision. It’s a promise to Boston residents—a commitment to take on our hardest challenges, and to center our efforts on the pursuit of racial, economic, and climate justice. Whether it’s as basic as fixing administrative processes or as broad as writing new legislation, using policy to change systems has been at the core of my time in public service. In partnership with community, we’ve shaped some of the most impactful policy discussions in our city. Over my seven years on the City Council, I’ve authored and passed legislation to deliver for families across the city, from guaranteeing paid parental leave, language access, and healthcare equity, to ramping up renewable energy and reforming city contracting. Each day I am reminded that the only way to act with the scale and urgency that this moment demands is to make government as accessible and transparent as possible, so that democracy, community, and advocacy drives everything that we do together. Housing Affordability Safe, healthy, accessible, affordable housing is a human right. Yet in Boston, a stable home has become a luxury not everyone can afford. Only about one-third of Boston residents own their own home, and half of Boston’s renters are rent-burdened. As COVID-19 devastated communities already struggling with displacement and rising rents, tens of thousands of Boston families are living in fear of the impending evictions crisis. Michelle will fight for resources to create truly affordable housing and end chronic homelessness, zoning reforms to prioritize fair housing and affordable homes for families, protections to stabilize tenants, and ways to expand permanent affordability, such as community land trusts. Michelle will prioritize housing stability for Boston families. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Take bold action to deliver housing justice in Boston Housing is a human right. Yet in Boston, a stable home has become a luxury not everyone can afford. Only about one-third of Boston residents own their own home, and half of Boston’s renters are rent-burdened. At the city level, Boston has the power to meet this moment and dismantle the legacy of systemic racism in our racial wealth gap and displacement crisis. We also must stabilize families in the near term by working with advocates across the state and neighboring municipalities to lift the ban on rent control. Read Michelle's full plan to deliver housing justice for Bostonians. Building Boston’s future around affordable housing Housing is the cornerstone of health, racial justice, economic and educational opportunity, and long-term stability. We can increase access to affordable housing by investing in and expanding social and cooperative housing, prioritize housing for low-income individuals and residents experiencing homelessness, and grow the supply of housing while focusing on housing stability. The City should work to expand permanent affordability through community land trusts and help more families purchase homes. Combating the housing crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic Due to the stresses of the pandemic, renters are struggling to afford to stay housed. We must commit to providing immediate support to families through rental relief and a moratorium on evictions. A crisis of this magnitude will have dramatic ripple effects: a reduction in educational attainment, employment and lifetime savings, and a higher incidence of a lifetime of health issues. Planning for community resiliency, not displacement As Boston’s residents face the effects of an impending housing crisis and the threat of displacement, we must consider pathways to resiliency. We need to create a true city planning department that does right by the people of Boston, including by preserving opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities to live at home. Read more about Michelle’s ideas for city planning and check out her plan to fix our broken development system. Stabilizing the rental market and protecting tenants As the pandemic continues to shake the rental market, tenants are contending with continued uncertainty. We must take action to stabilize the short-term rental market and ensure tenants’ right to counsel. We need to protect tenants against displacement, rising housing prices, and public safety issues by closing commercial loopholes. Addressing homelessness We need to create long-term, stable, accessible, supportive housing for people currently experiencing homelessness, going beyond providing short-term shelter to address the root cause of housing instability: affordability. We must also recognize that housing is a public health issue, and coordinate community partnerships to provide people experiencing homelessness with mental health care, treatment for substance abuse disorders, and other wrap-around services. City services must recognize the particular needs of working families, LGBTQ youth, people with disabilities, and other communities living in unstable housing. Confronting Boston’s legacy of racism and housing discrimination Discriminatory practices like redlining and exclusionary zoning have resulted in disproportionately high rates of housing instability in communities of color and Black communities all over the country. We know this very well in Boston; the difference in life expectancy in Back Bay is 30 years higher than it is in Roxbury, where COVID-19 infection rates are among the highest in the city. This is a direct manifestation of the legacy of structural racism in policy and practice. We must amend Boston’s zoning code to affirmatively further fair housing. Implementing Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) Michelle has proposed a groundbreaking plan to implement the GND at the municipal level, which includes a housing agenda built around environmental sustainability, racial and socioeconomic integration, and safeguards against displacement. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Closed corporate loopholes for short-term rentals Visited nearly every emergency shelter in the city and held a hearing to examine resources needed to serve unhoused LGBTQ youth Advocated for rental relief and a moratorium evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent individuals from being pushed into homelessness Education Equity As a Boston Public Schools parent, Michelle knows personally how our schools are at the very heart of our community and our future in the City of Boston. In this moment, school communities are facing unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty. Boston students, teachers, and families deserve a system that is responsive to their needs and provides the type of support that enables everyone to succeed. Our system should be structured and led by anti-racist policies that undermine structural inequities rather than perpetuate them. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Implementing a comprehensive Community Vision for Boston's Students and Families Michelle’s eight-part plan lays out how she’ll bring bold change to Boston Public Schools (BPS) to ensure it serves every school community — with the urgency of a BPS mom. Her approach to Boston schools dramatically expands the services available in schools to address the whole child’s needs, makes the system easier for families to navigate, and commits to a Green New Deal for BPS so every child can learn in a healthy, safe environment. Planning for a safe reopening and equitable recovery from COVID-19 in every school In the midst of a global pandemic, our students, educators, and families have had to navigate massive shifts in education. As we move forward, we can’t afford to focus exclusively on reopening schools. We must take a long-term approach to an equitable recovery by listening to our experts - educators, students, and families. We need to combat the effects of the pandemic that occurred during school closures - learning loss, increased incidence of trauma, and adverse mental health effects, among others - and work to create long-term solutions in our schools. Read Michelle’s community-driven report on planning reopening and equitable recovery from COVID. Closing the early education and child care gap High-quality early education and care prepares children for a lifetime of opportunities, eases the burden on working families, and properly values the providers who help set the foundation for our children’s lives. But despite years of promises, a massive early education and care gap has persisted in Boston—and the pandemic has only underscored this reality. Read Michelle's bold plan to close the early education and child care gap so children, families, and care providers can thrive. Valuing and trusting our educators Teachers are experts and professionals. To provide the best possible education to our children, we must listen to and empower our educators to use their expertise in planning and in practice. We need to ensure meaningful opportunities for ongoing professional development, and offer appropriate support to teachers navigating during and after the pandemic. Creating safe, inclusive, and anti-racist schools At the same time our communities are grappling with COVID-19, we’re also in the midst of a reckoning with a long history of racial injustice. In line with this movement, we must eliminate school segregation and practices that maintain inequities in our communities. This means making our schools safe for all students by embedding anti-racism in the fabric of our schools, demilitarizing our schools, addressing the school-to-prison pipeline, and eliminating surveillance of undocumented students. Investing equitably in schools and students for mental and behavioral health If we want to serve our students equitably, we need to take a whole child approach to meeting student needs. This means addressing mental health as well as physical well-being. All students in BPS should be able to access guidance and care from a well-staffed support team of nurses, mental health counselors, and guidance counselors. Supporting ALL learners and their families Prior to the pandemic, we knew that Boston had a long way to go in serving students equitably. In particular, the state’s review of BPS found that services for English language learners and students with disabilities were in complete disarray. We must tackle the barriers facing these populations of learners head on, ensuring equitable access to high quality curriculum and instruction while differentiating student supports. Investing in healthy and sustainable school facilities As community hubs, our schools are crucial sites of learning and development. Teachers and students alike deserve access to environments conducive to teaching and learning. Particularly during a global pandemic, we need to invest in schools’ longevity and health by updating ventilation systems, prioritizing cleanliness, and modernizing infrastructure. Adopting and funding a community schools model Our schools need to support students within their home and neighborhood context, creating partnerships to combat underlying needs like food and housing insecurity. To enable every child in the city to receive a well-rounded education, the City should partner with local nonprofits and cultural institutions to implement robust arts and culture programming in the Boston Public Schools. Expanding vocational education opportunities In a city as diverse as Boston, we must recognize the necessity of providing high quality vocational education opportunities to students. In order to make good-paying jobs more accessible, we need to create more direct pipelines to opportunities in trades and other industries that do not require a four-year degree. Guaranteeing universal early education and childcare All children should have the chance to get a head start through universal affordable, high-quality early education. This includes increasing access to community-based and on-site workplace child care. Ensuring safe, reliable transportation for our students Michelle is fighting for transportation policies built on economic, racial, and climate justice, from dedicated bus lanes, to pedestrian safety, fare-free transit, safe cycling infrastructure, and easing traffic congestion. In order to promote healthy, connected communities and ensure that every student can safety access educational opportunities, we need to make our streets safer and invest in transportation as a public good. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Improved access to local, fresh food in Boston’s public schools Held a hearing on improving access to vocational education, which would increase access to good jobs that do not require a four-year degree. Held a community panel and townhall to facilitate a collaborative planning process around a safe K-12 reopening and equitable recovery from COVID, centering the voices of students, teachers, parents, and other community members. Submitted a letter to the BPS School Committee regarding school reopening during the pandemic, sharing community-generated solutions and sharing our recommendations for a safe reopening and equitable recovery. Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Black and brown communities, through institutional racism and discriminatory policies such as redlining and segregation, have been systematically denied the rights and access to build generational wealth. In Boston, the median net worth of a white family is $247,500, while the median net worth of a Black family is just $8. The COVID-19 pandemic has widened the racial wealth gap even more. Michelle has been fighting for shared prosperity through aligning city contracting to close the racial wealth gap and policies for racial and economic justice. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Fighting the root causes of wealth inequality Addressing the root causes of the racial wealth gap means rewriting the rules that shape our political and economic systems and rethinking who gets to write the rules in the first place. From home ownership to business creation, quality education, and transportation access, communities of color in Boston continue to face barriers to economic security reinforced through policy over generations. While we work to implement concrete policies that build wealth and power among Black and Latinx residents, immigrants, and other underserved communities, we must also shift the rules, practices, and norms that have enabled racial inequities to persist since our City’s founding. Require equitable City contracting We need to make full-scale investments in building healthy, resilient communities by aligning public spending with the City’s goals to reduce income inequality and build wealth in our neighborhoods. By harnessing government spending as a force for community economic development, the City can reverse longstanding disparities by zip code and race through investing in businesses owned by people of color, women, and Boston residents. Promoting home ownership and housing justice Safe, healthy, affordable housing is a human right and the cornerstone of health, racial justice, and economic and educational opportunity, but Black families have long been locked out of this key opportunity to build wealth by State-sanctioned disinvestment and predatory lending. Read more about Michelle’s commitment to housing justice. Attract and invest in Black businesses Black-owned businesses empower Black communities in Boston to build wealth, but their success is stymied by historic disinvestment. Black-owned businesses face systemic exclusion from access to capital, technical assistance, government contracts, and other resources that allow businesses to thrive, and during the pandemic, the structure and administration of small business relief programs have made Black-owned businesses particularly vulnerable to closure. The City must take steps to correct these historic inequities by connecting Black business-owners with capital, technical assistance, and professional support, while ensuring Black entrepreneurs have the resources they need to start new successful businesses. Read more about how Michelle will champion an economy built for the success of small businesses. Supporting young professionals of color Boston’s business ecosystem, with business ownership that is far less diverse than the city’s population, does not provide Black professionals and other entrepreneurs of color with the business and social networks they need to thrive. These networks are critical for business owners to obtain information, clients, mentors, financing, and other resources, while withstanding discrimination from lenders, networks, and potential clients. Boston must improve business networks targeted specifically for young professionals of color to improve small business resource access for all residents across all neighborhoods. Planning for a safe and equitable COVID-19 recovery The burden of the pandemic has not been borne equally. We can only build a stronger Boston if we center communities of color in our recovery from COVID-19, from ensuring transparency in how emergency funding is being directed to the fighting for safe workplaces and fair wages for our essential workers. Expanding participatory budgeting Closing the racial wealth gap requires us to reimagine power in Boston. Participatory budgeting can help us rewrite the rules around who has a say in how money is spent by the City, leading to more equitable investments aligned with community needs and ensuring that the city works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Implementing Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) Michelle has proposed a groundbreaking plan to implement the GND at the municipal level, which would mitigate the threat of climate change by eliminating the violence of poverty and economic inequality, closing the racial wealth gap, and dismantling structural racism in Boston. Climate justice is racial and economic justice. Read Michelle’s plan. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We’ve Done Together So Far Authored and passed legislation to increase equity in city contracting Advocated for transparency and accountability for emergency city spending during the COVID-19 pandemic Exercised oversight authority to obtain data and reports on city contracting Transportation Safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable transportation is the foundation for shared prosperity and health. We need proactive city leadership to fix our broken transportation system: Boston currently has the worst traffic in the country, and Black bus riders spend 64 more hours on average each year on stalled buses than white riders. Michelle is fighting for transportation policies built on economic, racial, and climate justice, from dedicated bus lanes, to pedestrian safety, fare-free transit, safe cycling infrastructure, and easing traffic congestion. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Ensuring pedestrian safety Boston’s streets should be safe for all road users, but too often residents who have been sounding the alarm on dangerous speeding hotspots don’t see safety improvements until after a tragedy occurs. We must ensure access to traffic calming infrastructure improvements citywide, maintain crosswalks and pedestrian-friendly signal timing, and expand sidewalks during the pandemic to allow for safe distancing. Taking on traffic Boston has been ranked as having the worst rush-hour traffic in the country, and our transportation infrastructure has not kept pace with the growing population and number of commuters. We must take action to empower commuters with reliable, safe multimodal options and public transit, evaluate congestion pricing, and manage curbside space for pick up and drop off from ride-hailing vehicles and delivery trucks that slow traffic and block bike lanes and sidewalks when parked. Building a safe, connected, low-stress cycling network Boston is committed to increasing our share of commuting trips by bike to move more people on our streets and reach our climate and public health goals, but to do this, cycling must be safe and connected. We must accelerate progress in building protected cycling infrastructure with a focus on equity, so every neighborhood has access to safe cycling options. Improving bus service Although the MBTA is a state agency, buses run on municipal roads, so city government can play a big role in making bus service more reliable and equitable. We must speed up the design and implementation of dedicated bus lanes in our most congested corridors, expand transit signal priority, and evaluate the location and condition of bus stops. Championing fare-free transit Transportation affects every aspect of our lives and how people connect with healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. If we are serious as a city and a Commonwealth about closing the racial wealth divide, advancing climate justice, and empowering communities, we need to remove barriers to public transportation as a public good. Fighting for equity and transportation justice Our transportation agenda should be built around access for all of our neighbors, including residents with disabilities, youth, and seniors, and prioritize safety and service to all of our neighborhoods, especially environmental justice communities. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Advocated for safe streets infrastructure improvements during the pandemic Brought together thousands of MBTA riders to oppose fare hikes, securing protections to shield bus riders, seniors, and youth from fare increases Shortened rush hour travel times with dedicated bus lanes Expanded free MBTA passes for Boston students Released a Boston Youth Transportation report Advocated for fixing issues facing multimodal commuters Changed the conversation on fare-free transit, inspiring regional progress Elevated the need for safe, protected cycling infrastructure Hosted the first-ever Boston City Council policy briefing series, focused on transportation Planning and Development Shaping development across the city for equity and resiliency is one of the most powerful roles of city government. But without comprehensive planning and responsive zoning, Boston’s development decisions are based on special approvals and exceptions after a complex and opaque public process. Not only do we fall short in transparency and accountability, but we are missing out on the potential to harness development to address our growing crises of unaffordability, climate vulnerability, inequality, and traffic. Michelle is committed to overhauling our development processes to empower planning that prioritizes the stability and resiliency of our communities. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Creating a true city planning department The current development process in Boston is only making existing challenges worse. We need to create a city planning department that articulates a long-term vision for community resiliency and empowers all voices, rather than a select few. We must return assets to City oversight, end urban renewal areas, and empower a planning department to create a master plan for updated zoning with clear, consistent rules. Reforming the Boston zoning process to meet community needs Our City’s zoning code hasn’t been comprehensively updated since 1965, and the complicated process disproportionately benefits the wealthy and well-connected with the resources to pursue zoning exceptions and waivers. The zoning process must be made more transparent, accountable, and equitable in order to bring private development into alignment with community needs for stable housing, safe streets, open space, reliable transportation, food access, and a healthy environment. Designating green affordable overlay districts The status quo of development in Boston continues to exacerbate racial and economic disparities across our neighborhoods. Designating green overlay districts for affordability and resiliency with anti-displacement protections can support the sustainable development of healthy and accessible housing for all, meeting our climate goals while prioritizing the stability of neighborhood residents. Ending urban renewal Urban renewal powers enable the Boston Planning and Development Agency to bypass community oversight, based on outdated maps drawn more than fifty years ago that do not reflect our communities’ needs. The City should wind down the BPDA’s urban renewal powers by its current expiration date in 2022 as part of a broader effort to move past the department’s legacy of displacement and neighborhood destruction and build transparency and accountability to community members. Requiring corporate tax break accountability Boston’s approach to economic development should benefit all residents, but our current Tax Increment Financing program received a score of zero in transparency from Good Jobs First. Instead of giving tax breaks to bad actors, we should support companies that hire locally and provide full-time jobs with livable wages and good benefits. Companies should publicly report the number and type of jobs created so that Boston residents and city government can hold accountable these private corporations and larger institutions that receive public benefits and services. Auditing development commitments to ensure public benefit Private developers must be held to their commitments under community benefits agreements to ensure a transparent and predictable process. These commitments should be negotiated in close consultation with community members and strictly upheld through regular audits to ensure that our City is not leaving money on the table for affordable housing, climate mitigation measures, and other public benefits. Implementing Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) Michelle has proposed a groundbreaking plan to implement the GND at the municipal level, which includes a focus on just and resilient development by creating affordable green overlay districts and standard community benefits agreements. MICHELLE’S RECORD What We’ve Done Together So Far Released a report on Fixing Boston’s Broken Development Process: How & Why to Abolish the BPDA, laying out the city-level steps that would unwind this agency and create the pathway to community-centered, accountable planning Filed corporate tax break accountability ordinance Authored and passed legislation to protect natural resource areas and empower the Boston Conservation Commission to require resiliency and green infrastructure in development. Advocated for oversight to restore trust in ZBA and development approvals process Negotiated limiting urban renewal to a six-year extension, expiring in 2022 Small Business Small businesses are the backbone of Boston’s economy, serving as cultural hubs in our neighborhoods, economic engines for families across the city, and one of the most important ways to build wealth in our communities. As a former small business owner, Michelle has been standing up for entrepreneurs and breaking down barriers so locally-owned businesses can thrive, starting with streamlining processes for small business permitting and licensing, and reforming city contracting and procurement to align with our goals to close the racial wealth gap and support worker cooperatives. Michelle will help build Boston’s economic recovery to center local small businesses, their workforce, and the communities they serve. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Fighting for our locally-owned businesses during and after the pandemic Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges as they struggle to pay rent, serve their customers, keep their workers safe, and navigate reopening and recovery. We must work with entrepreneurs and advocates to ensure that those with the most need have access to relief and services. Aligning City contracting to help close the racial wealth gap and support community wealth-building We need to get the most value out of taxpayer dollars by directing them back into the community and ensuring that businesses owned by people of color, women, and Boston residents have a fair shot at winning City of Boston contracts. Streamlining small business permitting and licensing Boston should have a welcoming, convenient, and smooth process to open small businesses and wrap-around services to grow and expand a business in our city. We must create a customer service-focused environment for City processes, with clear timelines and accessible, efficient communications. Strengthening Boston’s Main Streets and legacy businesses Our neighborhood businesses anchor our communities, but small businesses are facing commercial gentrification with increasing rents across the city. In recent years, too many of Boston’s legacy businesses, critical to the economy and character of our neighborhoods, have been shuttered. As the stresses of COVID present an unprecedented threat, we need to fight for a pandemic recovery plan that builds on the strength of these mainstay businesses. Supporting entrepreneurs of color In combating historical economic exclusion, we need to better equip entrepreneurs of color with programming and resources to promote their success. Creating specialized supports for restaurants Restaurants have been hit especially hard during the pandemic with government-mandated shutdowns and restricted capacity adding to the stresses on an industry with already tight profit margins. Boston should work closely to connect federal, state, and local resources to neighborhood restaurants and work to rebuild the local restaurant scene with technical assistance, place-making, programming, and publicity. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Advocated for an equitable recovery from COVID-19, including a focus on small businesses, especially those owned by immigrants and people of color Ensured oversight on how small business relief funds were allocated and on emergency City spending during the pandemic Authored and passed legislation to align city spending with closing the racial wealth gap and building wealth in Boston communities Authored and passed legislation to create jobs and opportunity for local food producers and food businesses by prioritizing local purchasing for City food procurement Authored and passed legislation removing barriers for businesses to host live music Authored and passed legislation ending the ban on BYOB in Boston Issued recommendations for streamlining small business permitting and licensing Filed legislation to protect small business districts from the expansion of chain stores Public Health Boston boasts world-class hospitals and serves as a hub of medical innovation and industry, but the thriving health care economy has not always translated to adequate care for all of our residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and widened Boston’s deep health disparities by race and neighborhood, further afflicting communities already burdened with exposure to gun violence and environmental hazards, and further destabilizing residents struggling with homelessness and the opioid epidemic. Michelle is fighting for the access and resources to ensure the health of every family and the resilience of our public health infrastructure. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Managing the COVID-19 pandemic and creating resiliency to future threats The next mayor will be responsible for ushering the city through the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reshaped every aspect of our lives. Leadership during this crisis means creating a robust system of testing, contract tracing, and public health outreach built on science and grounded in public trust and transparency. Ending health disparities in health care access and outcomes Michelle is committed to rooting out discrimination in all of its forms. Racism is a public health crisis in Boston, from tragic disparities in Black maternal health to the epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately harms Black and brown communities. The fight for equality includes ensuring linguistically and culturally competent care, access to gender affirming services, and health policy that centers people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Implementing a citywide plan to address homelessness, substance use, and mental health The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Boston's homelessness, substance use, and mental health crises, with opioid-related overdose deaths increasing by 20% in 2020 alone as social isolation, mental health challenges, financial precarity and housing instability have deepened. Across Massachusetts, the highest increase in opioid-related deaths has been among Black men, and the crisis has been worsened by the prevalence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Boston residents deserve compassionate care, urgent action, and accountability. These intersectional barriers and complexity of broken systems must be transformed. Overhauling Boston’s public health infrastructure Boston can be the healthiest city in the country for all of our residents by investing in our community health providers and partnerships, tackling chronic and underlying health issues in the population, and expanding access to outreach and preventative care. Prioritizing mental health and trauma supports As the world continues to grapple with the physical health and economic effects of COVID-19, mental health is becoming another pressing health crisis just beneath the surface of the pandemic, with additional barriers to care for communities of color. Michelle believes in ending the stigma of mental illness by sharing the complexities of our stories and fighting to make care accessible to every family. Investing in substance use prevention, treatment, & recovery services We need to take a compassionate, evidence-based approach to substance use disorder that is grounded in principles of harm reduction and not criminalization. Our families deserve a renewed commitment to ending the opioid epidemic and the underlying corporate greed, economic stressors, and mental health crisis that feed its devastation. Creating a local, healthy, and sustainable food system and fighting food insecurity Access to nutritious food can help power healthy families, and investments in local, community-oriented food production and distribution are the building blocks for fighting food insecurity and creating a sustainable food system. We should be rethinking food access from beginning to end, starting with corporatized food production processes that compromise workers’ rights and leave our food supply chain vulnerable to disruption. Through robust community partnerships, equitable food procurement practices, and support for small businesses like bodegas and family-owned restaurants, we can better serve our communities. Grounding public safety in a commitment to public health In all of our public safety priorities, from ending gun violence and domestic violence to reforming our crisis response infrastructure, Boston must lead with trust as the foundation for public health. Building wellness in our city requires setting a new standard for accountability and community oversight in policing, which means we must also reject surveillance technology and practices that threaten civil rights and disproportionately harm Black and brown neighborhoods and families. Fighting for environmental justice and ensuring all Bostonians live with clean air and water, and healthy homes Leaders must use this moment to confront the interlocking threats of ecological degradation and environmental racism and call for solutions that will generate green jobs, fight wealth inequality, and build more livable cities. Our families deserve clean air, unpolluted water, and toxic-free buildings. From fighting the urban heat island effect and restoring our tree canopy, to combating pollution, we should build an inclusive, green public health agenda. MICHELLE’S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Authored and passed legislation securing inclusive health care access for all City employees, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity Authored and passed legislation guaranteeing paid parental leave for all City employees, inclusive of all family types Authored and passed a Good Food Purchasing Policy for the city to require an emphasis on local production, healthy and nutritious foods, environmental sustainability, fair labor, and humane animal welfare practices Authored and passed legislation prohibiting the use of discriminatory face surveillance technology by Boston law enforcement or any other city agencies Advocated for measures to address the disproportionate exposure to air pollution for communities of color, including highlighting that Chinatown is the most polluted community in the state Filed legislation to reform Boston’s crisis response to expand the infrastructure of trained public health professionals Public Safety Whether in our schools or on our streets, public safety should be built around restorative justice and community trust. From ending gun violence and domestic violence, to reforming our crisis response infrastructure, building wellness in our city means dismantling racism in our institutions and setting a new standard for accountability and community oversight. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Reimagining and grounding public safety in public health A national and citywide reckoning with racial injustice has created fertile ground for the reimagining of public safety as public health. It’s time to re-evaluate our City’s responses to trauma and allocation of resources. We must improve agency coordination and simplify access to resources, divert 911 calls regarding homelessness and mental health issues to public health professionals, improve street teams’ infrastructure, and expand partnerships with hospitals to spread public health information. Read more about Michelle’s plans for public health here. Dismantling racism in policing It is all too clear that our city’s public safety structures have not kept all of us safe, particularly our Black residents. We must take concrete steps to dismantle racism in law enforcement by demilitarizing the police, banning weapons like tear gas and rubber bullets and practices like no-knock warrants that endanger our residents of color. We must also establish an independent civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate police misconduct and close the loopholes in the body camera program in order to build trust between BPD and our communities. We must also dismantle ableism in policing and ensure that Bostonian’s have access to emergency services that can provide the appropriate mental health support, particularly for those with disabilities. Rebuilding the culture and structure of the Boston Police Department Delivering public safety through a lens of public health and community trust requires urgent action to rebuild the culture and structure of the Boston Police Department. We must deliver structural changes that go beyond announcements or goals, and instead are embedded in the collective bargaining agreements with the City. We need a contract that gets to the root of the cultural and systemic reforms we need — full transparency and true accountability for misconduct, reducing wasteful overtime spending to reinvest those funds in neighborhood-level services, and removing the functions of traffic enforcement and social services from the department’s purview. Supporting our youth The surest way to combat community violence is by creating opportunity. We need to invest in our youth by ensuring access to paid summer jobs and opportunities during the school year. We also need to elevate youth voices and let young people lead the way in reimagining public safety in their own communities. That starts with meeting youth demands to remove police from Boston Public Schools and ensuring all students have access to trauma services, counselors, and other wrap-around services. Combating violence in our communities Our public safety structures must address the realities of domestic violence, gun violence, and violence against LGBTQ people, especially nonbinary residents, including by coordinating the medical, counseling, and social support services that survivors need to recover and thrive. Cracking down on hate crimes Hate crimes against immigrants, people of color, LBGTQ+ residents, and Jewish and Muslim residents have been increasing in recent years, and they are too often compounded by cultural and linguistic barriers that can keep survivors from seeking and receiving help. We must eradicate the discrimination, intolerance and bullying that seed these despicable hate crimes, fighting the ideologies that sanction and encourage hate and working for every community space to be safe and welcoming. Ending racial disparities in our criminal legal system We must rethink our criminal legal system with a data-driven, progressive approach that moves away from the carceral approach to minor non-violent offenses that disproportionately impacts immigrants and residents of color. Our public safety system must work in collaboration with community partners to implement evidence-based diversionary alternatives to arrest, detention, prosecution and incarceration that promote safer and healthier communities. Reforming our criminal legal system also requires ending the failed, racially discriminatory war on drugs; dismantling the discriminatory gang database; and investing in re-entry services for formerly incarcerated people. Aligning public safety with an agenda for safe streets and transit justice Rethinking our streets and transportation systems is urgent for public health and safety – particularly during the pandemic. By investing in public transportation and reallocating street space to pedestrians, cyclists, and people who use mobility aids, we can work toward a pandemic recovery that is more equitable and safer for all residents. Addressing underlying causes of crime and criminalization Too many of our neighbors, especially in communities of color, are living with untreated trauma. We need to prevent violence by making equitable investments in our neighborhoods and interrupt the cycles of violence by providing survivors with supportive services. At the same time, we must dismantle other systems of violence inflicting trauma upon Black residents and communities of color, including housing instability, food insecurity, transit injustice, mass incarceration, and the climate crisis. By thinking holistically about public safety through a public health lens and redirecting funding into education, housing, health care, and other basic needs, we can alleviate the trauma caused by over-policing while investing in a safer and more equitable future. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We’ve Done Together So Far Authored and passed legislation banning the use of racially discriminatory facial recognition technology Filed legislation for alternative crisis response from trained public health professionals Passed a resolution calling for increased state funding for youth jobs Conducted oversight on the militarization of BPD Convened a youth-led community forum to reimagine public safety in Boston Economic Justice & Workers' Rights Economic justice starts with a commitment to worker power, workplace safety, and livable wages. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, standing up for labor rights has life and death consequences. Boston’s economy and our economic recovery should be built on good, green jobs, made truly accessible when we tackle the struggles facing working families, from lack of affordable child care options to housing insecurity. Michelle is focused on confronting wealth inequality and building economic prosperity through a commitment to labor rights. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Building worker power Workers must have real negotiating power as we rebuild our city’s economy and shape our collective future. Boston must proactively affirm the right of all workers to organize and bargain collectively for their rights, including by aggressively enforcing existing procurement standards that give preference to union vendors. At the same time, we must also support the creation of worker-owned cooperatives that build wealth and power in underserved communities. Establishing a Cabinet-Level Chief of Worker Empowerment To ensure a just and equitable recovery from COVID-19, our commitment to working Bostonians must go beyond paying lip service to essential workers, to include structural changes at the City level to close gaps, elevate the dignity of work, and advance the well-being of all Boston workers and their communities. As Mayor, Michelle will create a Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment with oversight and resources to advance working Bostonians in both the private and public sectors. Protecting essential workers during COVID-19 The pandemic has provided us with the opportunity to recognize the dignity of all workers, including essential workers who risk their lives on a daily basis to keep our city running. Boston must protect the physical health of workers during COVID-19 by modernizing our buildings’ ventilation systems and guaranteeing access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers. We must also prevent retaliation against workers who report unsafe working conditions that heighten the risk of contracting COVID-19. Fighting for livable wages and benefits Boston must ensure that all workers earn a living wage and adequate paid family and medical leave to provide for themselves and their families. That includes undocumented workers, who are an essential part of our city’s economy, but are too often denied these same tenets of worker justice and confronted with employer retaliation. The pandemic has revealed the inadequacy of paltry sick leave policies that force workers to choose between their health and their paycheck. Whether dealing with COVID-19, a broken bone, or elder care responsibilities, we must ensure that all workers have the freedom to take care of their loved ones without losing a paycheck. Tackling wage theft Wage theft undermines the security and well-being of Boston workers, especially from low-income and immigrant communities, the service sector, and other workers, taking advantage of those who haven’t been informed of their rights or lack the legal or financial resources to defend them. By prohibiting vendors with past workplace safety or wage theft violations from doing business with the City, Boston can send a clear signal to all businesses that they must uphold and enforce labor laws and workplace protections. Guaranteeing a Fair Work Week Boston’s service sector workers—including the essential workers that we have depended on throughout the pandemic—experience routine schedule instability and unpredictability. These unpredictable schedules create hardship and stress for workers and their families, who are more likely to experience hunger, poor sleep quality, and higher levels of stress. All employers doing business in the City of Boston must provide their workers with schedules that are predictable and flexible, with enough hours for families to make ends meet, and enough leisure time to participate in family and community life. Combating wealth inequality and creating corporate and institutional accountability Boston’s approach to economic development must benefit all residents. Instead of giving tax breaks to bad actors, we should support companies that hire locally and provide full-time jobs with livable wages and good benefits. Companies should publicly report the number and type of jobs created so that Boston residents and city government can hold accountable these private corporations and larger institutions that receive public benefits and services. Ensuring equitable access to public goods like transportation and education Our city’s transit system is powered by and for essential workers, and the pandemic has underscored the need for workers to be able to move safely and affordably around the city – now, and in the future. Meanwhile, inequities in the Boston Public School system continue to perpetuate racial and socioeconomic disparities across the city, while teachers, administrators, and other school staff are facing the challenges of a safe reopening and equitable recovery for K-12 schools. We must invest in the transportation and education systems that workers depend on to build resilience during and after the pandemic. Championing economic empowerment for all Bostonians Fighting for worker dignity means confronting and dismantling the ways that people of color, women, immigrants, undocumented people, disabled people, and LGBTQ individuals often face additional barriers to employment and unequal payment and treatment at work. A commitment to economic empowerment means safeguarding wages and rights in the workplace, but our local government should also align spending and priorities to uproot the causes of wealth inequality and close the racial wealth gap. To build a strong and just city, we must also invest in youth employment opportunities, affordable child care, and support for small businesses, building on a robust network of community organizations and partnerships. Implementing Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) Michelle has proposed a groundbreaking plan to implement the GND at the municipal level, which includes creating green jobs with livable wages, good benefits, and strong worker protections to build a clean, just economy. By partnering with organized labor, workers centers, and technical schools and educators, Boston can ensure that these workforce development pathways are accessible for residents of all backgrounds. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We've Done Together So Far Filed legislation to require a Fair Work Week for workers at city-contracted companies Authored and passed legislation guaranteeing parental leave for city workers Authored and passed legislation guaranteeing equity in health care coverage for city workers, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity Advocated for a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Climate Justice With bold leadership and vision, Boston has the potential to be a worldwide beacon for climate action and environmental justice. In partnership with community activists and organizations, Michelle has proposed the first comprehensive of its kind, laying out an ambitious policy roadmap for delivering the kinds of structural changes we need in order to provide our kids a future built on sustainable energy, good jobs, and healthy, connected communities. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Implementing a Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Climate justice is racial and economic justice. Cities can lead the charge to mitigate the threat of climate change, eliminate the violence of poverty and economic inequality, close the racial wealth gap, and dismantle structural racism. Read Michelle’s plan. Protecting public health with clean air and water City residents face serious health risks of living near sources of pollution—from East Boston residents dealing with jet fuel pollution near the airport, to Chinatown residents living by highways filled with polluting cars and trucks. Boston should take measures to mitigate and eliminate pollution. And as a coastal city, we can play a major role in safeguarding our ocean resources to protect marine biodiversity and improve water quality. Combating climate change is a key part of creating safe communities and promoting public health. Fighting for environmental justice communities Communities of color, low-income and working-class families, and immigrant communities are more likely to see environmental hazards and face exposure to pollution, urban heat island effect, flooding, and other impacts of climate change. Policies to combat environmental racism and ensure resiliency must focus on community stabilization to ensure people benefit from green investments in their neighborhoods without fear of displacement. As we take action on climate change, Boston’s decision-makers must adopt a procedural justice framework that lifts up the voices, ideas and power of historically marginalized communities into processes for setting agendas and implementing policies. Improving quality of life through better buildings and sustainable transit Buildings and transportation together account for a large portion of our carbon footprint. Retrofitting our buildings with solar panels, high-efficiency heaters, and stormwater infrastructure will make buildings safer and more comfortable for residents, students and workers, while also cutting down on utility costs for renters and homeowners. And creating multimodal transportation systems that enable residents to leave traffic- and pollution-inducing fossil fuel-powered vehicles behind will not only reduce our emissions, but also improve air quality, ease traffic congestion, and allow all Boston residents to benefit from active transportation. Accelerating decarbonization The window to reverse the destructive momentum of climate change is closing quickly, and Boston is vulnerable to intense heat waves and destructive coastal flooding. We must commit to citywide carbon neutrality by 2040, with 100% of our energy coming from renewable sources by 2030, and a net-zero municipal footprint by 2024. These firm commitments demonstrate leadership to the nation while modeling a science-driven climate action plan that centers the safety and well-being of historically marginalized and impacted environmental justice communities. Creating green jobs and workforce development Michelle’s plan to implement the GND at the municipal level includes the creation of green jobs that pay livable wages, offer good benefits, and maintain strong worker protections to build a clean, just economy. By partnering with organized labor, workers centers, and technical schools, Boston can ensure that these workforce development pathways are accessible for residents of all backgrounds. Building a sustainable economy is key to championing economic justice and workers' rights. Expanding Boston’s green spaces We must ensure all residents have access to the natural spaces that build ecosystem resilience while improving public health. Urban forests provide shade and protect against heat waves, mitigate exposure to air pollutants, and improve our mental health, while also sequestering carbon in the soil. And beyond its environmental benefits, urban agriculture also promotes community engagement in public space, allowing residents to grow food that is nutritious and culturally relevant. Boston must work to expand its urban tree canopy and its network of urban farms to ensure all residents can enjoy the benefits of these green spaces. MICHELLE'S RECORD What We’ve Done Together So Far Released a comprehensive local plan for a Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Authored and passed legislation expanding protections for natural resource areas and requiring resilient development Authored and passed legislation for Community Choice Energy to increase renewable energy for Boston residents and small businesses, empowering the largest green municipal aggregation in the state Removed barriers for condo owners to install electric vehicle charging stations Banned single-use plastic bags in Boston Passed a resolution calling for Massachusetts to divest from fossil fuels Authored and passed legislation shifting our public food procurement to agricultural producers that employ regenerative production systems that reduce emissions and protect our water, soil, and biodiversity Arts & Culture Growing up, the arts were central to Michelle’s immigrant family, grounding her in culture, heritage, and community. In her time as City Councilor, Michelle has served as Chair of the Arts, Culture & Special Events committee and helped oversee the formation of several of Boston’s cultural districts, as well as the Boston Creates plan. As Mayor, Michelle will be a champion for Boston’s diverse, vibrant arts and cultural sector that stretches across each of our city’s neighborhoods. POLICY PRIORITIES How We Will Lead Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our local artists and arts institutions—from Boston’s world renowned museums to grassroots nonprofit organizations—have struggled to survive, often cobbling together resources from the city, state, and private partners to sustain local jobs and create meaningful cultural experiences for Boston residents and tourists alike. The challenges cut across the entire city: a lack of affordable rehearsal, studio and performance space; unstable labor conditions for artists in the gig economy or employed in contract work; racial segregation that perpetuates inequities; and a siloed approach to public policy that fails to build on artists’ contributions to civic life. As Boston emerges from the pandemic, Michelle will invest in our arts and culture sector, recognizing that arts are central not only to our economic recovery, but also our psychological and emotional healing. Empowering artists to help communities heal Boston should ensure that every neighborhood sees new, innovative art that engages community members in placemaking, healing, activism, storytelling, and relationship building—starting immediately this summer.
Implementing a sustainable, equitable revenue source for the arts The health and vibrancy of our arts and culture sector underpins our community, economy, and growth. Yet Boston consistently underperforms compared to its peer cities in terms of public investment in the arts.
Reforming PILOT to stabilize arts and cultural institutions Boston is the only major city to request payment from cultural organizations through its payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program for nonprofit, tax-exempt institutions. This unusual PILOT structure means that together, seven of Boston’s arts and cultural organizations actually pay more money to the City of Boston than the entire arts sector receives from the City in the form of arts and culture grants
Expanding access to cultural institutions through a Boston Municipal ID Many of Boston’s larger arts institutions have launched programs to expand access to lower-income Boston residents, for whom full admission fees serve as an obstacle to enjoying arts and culture. The City should invite its museums and larger arts organizations to commit to further democratizing admission by launching a new municipal ID program, expanding access for residents who are undocumented, experiencing homelessness, lack government ID that matches their gender identity, or otherwise unable to apply for state and federally issued IDs.
Creating space for arts and culture Across Boston, studio, rehearsal and performance space is increasingly scarce—either unavailable or unaffordable to most local artists and smaller organizations.
Infusing arts leadership across City government All City services and programs would benefit from the creative thinking, storytelling skills, and holistic worldview that artists have to offer. Artists have deep ties to their local communities, and Boston should employ artists as key strategists and connectors in pursuing our shared goals of racial justice, climate resilience, and civic engagement across all public policy.
Guaranteeing arts funding as foundational school funding Arts programming is linked to higher student attendance and family engagement, and the benefits are even higher for students with individualized education plans or students who had been chronically absent. Boston Public Schools has made progress in expanding arts education to all K-8 students—but at the high school level, more than one-third of students receive no art programming, and in the 2020-21 school year, at least ten high schools had no full-time arts educator.
MICHELLE'S RECORD What We’ve Done Together So Far Authored and passed legislation to make it easier for businesses to host live acoustic performances and support Boston musicians Successfully pushed the City to commission a study exploring municipal ID as a tool to help those with difficulty obtaining a government-issued ID access museums, libraries, and other municipal institutions Led the effort on Boston City Council to designate Little Saigon in Fields Corner as a cultural district by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as a center of Vietnamese cultural, artistic and economic activity Advocated for resources for creatives and artists during COVID-19[45] |
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| —Michelle Wu's 2021 campaign website[52] | ||
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Annissa Essaibi George
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Satellite ads
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Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
| Boston mayoral election polls | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date | Essaibi George | Wu | Undecided/ Other |
Margin of error | Sample size | Sponsor | ||||||
| Emerson College/WHDH | Oct. 26-27 2021 | 31% | 61% | 8%[53] | ± 4.3[54] | 500 LV | -- | ||||||
| Data for Progress | Oct. 14-18, 2021 | 32% | 57% | 11%[55] | ± 4 | 507 LV | -- | ||||||
| Boston Globe/Suffolk University | Oct. 15-17, 2021 | 30% | 62% | 8%[56] | ± 4.4 | 500 LV | -- | ||||||
| MassINC | Oct. 6-12, 2021 | 25% | 57% | 18%[57] | ± 4.9 | 501 LV | The Boston Foundation/ The Dorchester Reporter/ WBUR | ||||||
Click [show] below to see polls released during the primary election.
| Boston mayoral primary election polls | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date | Barros | Campbell | Cappucci | Essaibi George | Janey | Santiago | Spagnuolo | Wu | Undecided/ Other |
Margin of error | Sample size | Sponsor |
| Emerson College/7News | Sept. 6-8, 2021 | 2% | 17% | 1% | 18% | 16% | 1% | 1% | 30% | 14%[58] | ± 3.9[59] | 600 LV | -- |
| Boston Globe/Suffolk University | Sept. 2-4, 2021 | 3% | 18% | <1% | 19% | 20% | <1% | <1% | 31% | 9%[60] | ± 4.4 | 500 LV | -- |
| Emerson College/7News | Aug. 23-24, 2021 | 2% | 14% | <1% | 18% | 16% | 1% | <1% | 24% | 25%[61] | ± 3.9[62] | 600 LV | -- |
| Boston Globe/Suffolk University | June 23-26, 2021 | 2% | 11% | 1% | 14% | 22% | 5% | <1% | 23% | 22%[63] | ± 4.4 | 500 LV | -- |
Campaign finance
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[64][65][66]
This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.
- Bostonians for Real Progress Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee spent $120,546 for digital ads and website development supporting Essaibi George as of September 13.[67] The group spent $342,500 on TV, digital, and cable advertising opposing Wu as of October 29.[68]
- Boston Turnout Project Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee spent $864,911 on digital and cable ads and direct mail supporting Wu as of October 30.[68]
- Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee spent $158,758 on direct mail and digital ads supporting Wu as of October 15.[68]
- Local 103 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Independent Expenditure PAC spent $92,500 on TV ads supporting Essaibi George as of October 29.[67]
- Real Progress Boston Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee spent $1.5 million on TV, digital, newspaper, and radio ads and more supporting Essaibi George as of October 29.[67]
- 1199 SEIU MA PAC spent $100,000 on digital ads supporting Wu as of October 5.[68]
Debates and forums
October 26, 2021
King Boston, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, NBC10 Boston, and other news organizations hosted a forum featuring one-on-one segments with the candidates. Click here to view videos.
October 25, 2021
WCVB and other local news organizations hosted a debate. Click here to watch the video.
October 24, 2021
The Urban League sponsored a forum. Click here for coverage.
October 19, 2021
NBC Boston hosted a debate. Click here to view the video.
October 13, 2021
WBZ-TV/CBSN Boston hosted a debate. Click here to view the video.
Mayoral partisanship
Mayoral elections were held in 28 of the 100 largest U.S. cities in 2021. Once mayors elected in 2021 assumed office, the mayors of 64 of the country's 100 largest cities were affiliated with the Democratic Party.
The following top-100 mayoral offices changed partisan control in 2021:
- Mayor John J. Lee of North Las Vegas, Nevada, announced that he was changing his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican on April 6, 2021.[69]
- David Bronson (R) was elected as mayor of Anchorage, Alaska, on May 11, 2021. He assumed office on July 1, 2021, replacing nonpartisan Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson.
Election history
2019
City voters also voted on a local measure to rename Dudley Square to Nubian Square.
2017
The city of Boston, Massachusetts, held elections for mayor and city council on November 7, 2017. A primary election occurred on September 26, 2017. All 13 seats on the city council were up for election. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 23, 2017.
2015
The city of Boston, Massachusetts, held elections for city council on November 3, 2015. A primary election took place on September 8, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was May 19, 2015. All 13 city council seats were up for election.
About the city
- See also: Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts. As of 2020, its population was 675,647.
City government
- See also: Mayor-council government
The city of Boston uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body and the mayor serves as the city's chief executive.
Demographics
The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.
| Demographic Data for Boston, Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Boston | Massachusetts | |
| Population | 675,647 | 7,029,917 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 48 | 7,800 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 52.1% | 76.6% |
| Black/African American | 24.2% | 7.5% |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.8% |
| Native American | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | 0% |
| Other (single race) | N/A | 4.2% |
| Multiple | 7.2% | 4.8% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 19.5% | 12% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 87.9% | 91.1% |
| College graduation rate | 51.3% | 44.5% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $76,298 | $84,385 |
| Persons below poverty level | 18% | 9.8% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
See also
| Boston, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Boston.gov, "City of Boston, 2021 Election Calendar," accessed July 19, 2021
- ↑ Boston.gov, "Vote Early Boston," accessed October 8, 2021
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2021 Vote by Mail Application," accessed August 5, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "With different visions for Boston, Wu and Essaibi George hit the campaign trail," September 15, 2021
- ↑ Washington Post, "Two women of color will compete to become Boston’s next mayor, marking historic shift," September 14, 2021
- ↑ Politico Massachusetts Playbook, "Progressives SPLIT in Boston mayor's race — MASK UP and VAX UP — LELLING talks ROLLINS," July 28, 2021
- ↑ Axios, "The tea leaves of Boston's historic mayoral race," August 2, 2021
- ↑ Boston.com, "Annissa Essaibi George jabs Michelle Wu in celebratory speech ahead of mayoral general election," September 15, 2021
- ↑ CBS Local, "Keller @ Large: Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu Says Boston ‘Can’t Afford To Just Nibble Around The Edges Of The Status Quo,’" September 19, 2021
- ↑ Boston.com, "4 key policy differences that could drive the race between Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George," September 15, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "In an unprecedented moment, Kim Janey endorses Michelle Wu for Boston mayor," September 25, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Boston Globe, "WAKANDA II endorses Janey for mayor," August 7, 2021
- ↑ CBS News, "Boston's next mayor will make history as Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George advance to runoff," September 15, 2021
- ↑ Boston.com, "A look back at the mayors of Boston," April 14, 2013
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "The Boston mayoral race’s unintended consequence: a City Council shakeup," June 20, 2021
- ↑ In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ Boston Herald, "Editorial: Herald backs Annissa Essaibi-George for mayor of Boston," October 28, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Michelle Wu for mayor," October 22, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 19, 2021," accessed October 19, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Reading between the endorsement lines," October 6, 2021
- ↑ WCVB, "Rep. Ayanna Pressley endorses Michelle Wu's bid for mayor of Boston," October 1, 2021
- ↑ East Boston Times-Free Press, "Madaro Endorses Wu for Mayor of Boston," October 6, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 18, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 29, 2021," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Annissa Essaibi George on September 29, 2021," accessed September 30, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Annissa Essaibi George on September 24, 2021," accessed September 30, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Annissa Essaibi George on October 7, 2021," accessed October 7, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Annissa Essaibi George on October 29, 2021," accessed October 29, 2021
- ↑ Politico Massachusetts Playbook, "The congressional cash dash," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on September 29, 2021," accessed September 30, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "WAKANDA II, other leaders of color come out for Michelle Wu in slew of endorsements reminiscent of 2013 mayoral race," October 6, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 7, 2021," accessed October 7, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 7, 2021," accessed October 11, 2021
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Bay State Banner, "Activist groups endorse Wu," Octber 11, 2021
- ↑ Facebook, "Michelle Wu on October 21, 2021," accessed Ocober 21, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "6 neighborhoods to watch in Boston's elections," November 1, 2021
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "Andrea Campbell should be Boston’s next mayor," September 2, 2021
- ↑ GBH, "Black And Latino Caucus Chair Endorses Campbell For Boston Mayor," August 11, 2021
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Politico Massachusetts Playbook, "An election of historic firsts," September 8, 2021
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "Sheriff Steve Tompkins endorses Boston mayoral candidate Michelle Wu," August 31, 2021
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "Tito Jackson endorses Kim Janey for mayor," August 10, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "MOULTON FALLOUT — Who HASN'T ENDORSED in the Boston mayor's race — Masks MANDATED in SCHOOLS," August 26, 2021
- ↑ Beacon Hill Times, "Pipefitters Local 537 Endorses Essaibi George," September 8, 2021
- ↑ Boston Herald, "Essaibi George: Boston needs police reform and safe neighborhoods," July 20, 2021
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 45.6 45.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michelle Wu's 2021 campaign website, "Public Safety," accessed October 8, 2021
- ↑ WBUR, "What The Mayoral Candidates Have To Say About Housing In Boston," June 3, 2021
- ↑ Boston.com, "Michelle Wu: The Boston.com interview," August 2, 2021
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Boston Globe, "Janey and health officials ban evictions in Boston, even as moratoriums come under fire," August 31, 2021
- ↑ Michelle Wu's 2021 campaign website, "Housing Affordability," accessed October 8, 2021
- ↑ Annissa Essaibi George's 2021 campaign website, "On the Issues," accessed October 20, 2021
- ↑ Michelle Wu's 2021 campaign website, "On The Issues," accessed October 20, 2021
- ↑ Undecided
- ↑ This poll used a credibility interval, similar to a margin of error.
- ↑ Not sure
- ↑ Undecided: 7%
Refused: 1% - ↑ Undecided: 16%
Refused: 2% - ↑ Undecided
- ↑ This poll used a credibility interval, similar to a margin of error.
- ↑ Undecided: 8%
Refused: 1% - ↑ Don't know/Undecided
- ↑ This poll used a credibility interval, similar to a margin of error.
- ↑ Undecided
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, "15618 Essaibi George, Annissa," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 68.3 Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, "15563 Wu, Michelle," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee says he’s becoming a Republican," April 6, 2021
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