Michelle Wu Year 1 - What has she done? (Boston, Cambridge: home, new construction)

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by Urban Peasant

I do not have a definitive answer because I cannot speak for the whole of Boston. Such types of questions require extensive surveying and even then you might not come to a good conclusion. Still, based on the article and other recent media, it looks like Wu has solidified her base with a coterie of civic leaders who are willing to work with her administration but she has also run into opposition from other individuals who so far put a stop to furthering other objectives. The Mayor will have to iron out these differences in the second year of her term.

Yeah, nobody here can speak for the whole of Boston or has definitive answers. The purpose was to stimulate discussion and solicit the opinions of residents and those who closely follow Boston politics.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Like many so-called "progressive" Democrats, Wu has shown herself to be a bullheaded and hardcore ideologue who seemingly doesn't play well with others. Or, at least, those who see things differently.
https://www.baystatebanner.com/2022/...dministration/

Its not that....its that you have a s***y state legislature who doesn't do anything without bribery and 3 studies first. And even after that...nothing will really happen.

So we call it Michelle Wu not playing nice when really? its the other way around. Boston Home rule petitions aren't respected and Charlie Baker gives you resistance every step of the way on anything that isnt explicitly ffor corporations. The state house gives you lethargy and inertia. It's why Boston needs more control over itself like most other large cities.

She isn't being bullheaded enough. She ought to be doubling down on all of her campaign rhetoric and pointing fingers at the state-constantly. Because he is Boston- shes an incumbent who si popular and will be re-elected. The economy will always be strong. You have nothing to lose but political capital with state polls. If you really want to do what you want to do-let the public know whos holding you up on Mass and Cass, Liquor license reform, and rent control. The less she does that the more people will blame her.

Her problem is shes too nice and may be looking at a statewide office at some point. I say let there be tension between the state house and city hall. No reason Boston should have to come up to them hat in hand like some homeless beggar every time it wants to make a change. It's ludicrous.

EOD Boston is safe, its packed (I was there Wed-Sunday), still building housing, and new businesses are cropping up. What more do you want from the mayor?

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Its not that....its that you have a s***y state legislature who doesn't do anything without bribery and 3 studies first. And even after that...nothing will really happen.

So we call it Michelle Wu not playing nice when really? its the other way around. Boston Home rule petitions aren't respected and Charlie Baker gives you resistance every step of the way on anything that isnt explicitly ffor corporations. The state house gives you lethargy and inertia. It's why Boston needs more control over itself like most other large cities.

She isn't being bullheaded enough. She ought to be doubling down on all of her campaign rhetoric and pointing fingers at the state-constantly. Because he is Boston- shes an incumbent who si popular and will be re-elected. The economy will always be strong. You have nothing to lose but political capital with state polls. If you really want to do what you want to do-let the public know whos holding you up on Mass and Cass, Liquor license reform, and rent control. The less she does that the more people will blame her.

Her problem is shes too nice and may be looking at a statewide office at some point. I say let there be tension between the state house and city hall. No reason Boston should have to come up to them hat in hand like some homeless beggar every time it wants to make a change. It's ludicrous.

EOD Boston is safe, its packed (I was there Wed-Sunday), still building housing, and new businesses are cropping up. What more do you want from the mayor?

We don't elect the state legislature to manage Boston, we elect a Mayor. Whether she can bamboozle a bunch of uninformed and unsuspecting voters into swallowing the "it's not me, it's everybody else's fault" defense is another issue.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

We don't elect the state legislature to manage Boston, we elect a Mayor. Whether she can bamboozle a bunch of uninformed and unsuspecting voters into swallowing the "it's not me, it's everybody else's fault" defense is another issue.

If you want a real laugh, try asking some of these people who they last voted as state rep or senator. I mean it's not so "funny" per se, but it will really help you understand how we got to where we are today.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

We don't elect the state legislature to manage Boston, we elect a Mayor. Whether she can bamboozle a bunch of uninformed and unsuspecting voters into swallowing the "it's not me, it's everybody else's fault" defense is another issue.

But the state legislature manages Boston more so than the mayor. Thats the issue. Every mayor here and the populace has to cowtow to the desire of a suburban state legislature.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

But the state legislature manages Boston more so than the mayor. Thats the issue. Every mayor here and the populace has to cowtow to the desire of a suburban state legislature.

That's an inaccurate characterization. The state has influence over home rule petitions but not the inner management of the city. If the argument is that the Mayor doesn't have the power to effectively manage the city I'd say that argument falls flat. If the argument is that the Mayor is relieved of the need to build alliances and form external partner relationships in order to advance her agenda because the state house has more power, that's a crock.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

But the state legislature manages Boston more so than the mayor. Thats the issue. Every mayor here and the populace has to cowtow to the desire of a suburban state legislature.

The legislature screws the suburbs just as much as it does the city.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by massnative71

If you want a real laugh, try asking some of these people who they last voted as state rep or senator. I mean it's not so "funny" per se, but it will really help you understand how we got to where we are today.

Oh, I get you. Believe me. And it's tragic.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by massnative71

The legislature screws the suburbs just as much as it does the city.

And always dominated by the same Party as the Mayor. One big cesspool of fun.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by massnative71

The legislature screws the suburbs just as much as it does the city.

No...the legislature is made up of 90% suburban representatives and the MMA has their cojones in a purse. Everything they do is to strengthen suburbia. And dim interpersonal vitality in cities. If it isnt focused on GE State Street or Wayfair it aint a priority