City Politics
Nine Questions Are on Tuesday’s Midterm Ballot. Here’s What Your Vote Will Do.
As Massachusetts voters head to the polls on Tuesday, they will be tasked with deciding a record-tying nine ballot questions — ranging from efforts to limit recreational marijuana sales to reshape the state’s primary elections. Before you vote, here’s what to know about your ballot.
Ballot Question 3 Seeks to End Single-Party Primaries
When Massachusetts voters head to the polls in 2028, they may see all candidates — regardless of party — on the same ballot for the first time in more than a century.
Boston Council President Liz Breadon Introduces Ordinance to Expose the ‘Worst Landlords in Boston’
Boston City Council President Elizabeth A. “Liz” Breadon introduced an ordinance last week that would create a public list of the “worst landlords in Boston” — naming landlords who repeatedly violate housing and sanitary code requirements.
Ballot Question 1 Tests Legislative Transparency, Again
Amid an ongoing push to increase the transparency of the state house, Massachusetts voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to subject the state Legislature and governor’s office to public records laws — opening government financial documents and communications to public scrutiny after years of exemptions.
City Council Looks to Change Future Operations of Harvard Square Kiosk
The Cambridge City Council is reconsidering the future operation of the Harvard Square Kiosk, asking City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 to explore other stewardship models as councilors have voiced disappointment with the city’s current contractor.
Cambridge Launches Multifamily Housing Liaison, Resources to Help Residents Understand Zoning Changes
Marlees West Owayda, Cambridge’s community engagement manager, was appointed on Monday to serve as the newly-established Multifamily Housing Liaison — part of a citywide effort to more clearly communicate the status of developments under the multifamily zoning process.
Hundreds Weigh In on Cambridge Proposals to Boycott, Divest From Companies Tied to Israel
The Cambridge City Council is weighing two orders to boycott and divest from companies tied to Israel — sparking a contentious six-hour marathon of public comment Monday night as nearly 300 residents lined up to speak on the proposals.
Cambridge Task Force Considers Tenant Governance For Social Housing Model
The Cambridge Social Housing Task Force explored what giving tenants greater decision-making power could look like in the city on Wednesday as part of a larger effort to address the housing crisis.
City Council Backs Stricter Sewage Overflow Recommendations in Draft Proposal
The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously to back a stricter version of a draft plan to limit sewage overflows into the Charles River on Monday.
School Committee Members Push District for Measurable Goals to Improve MCAS Scores as Achievement Gaps Widen
As this year’s standardized testing data revealed persistent disparities for underrepresented students, Cambridge School Committee members pressed district administrators on Tuesday to set measurable academic goals and explain how they will support schools with low test scores.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Says City Prepared to Challenge USPS Over Allston Post Office Closure
Allston elected officials pledged to fight the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed permanent closure of the neighborhood’s post office in a Monday afternoon press conference, escalating a fight over the neighborhood branch that has been closed since 2019.
Cambridge Increases Property Taxes for Second Consecutive Year
The Cambridge City Council unanimously voted to increase property tax rates on Monday as part of an ongoing effort to shift the tax burden off of residents.
Cambridge Cannot Bar Hiring of Former ICE Agents, City Solicitor Says
City Solicitor Megan B. Bayer advised the Cambridge City Council that a proposed rule to bar the police department from hiring former federal immigration agents would be illegal, seven months after the Council first floated the idea.
Cambridge Appoints Members to Childcare Affordability Task Force
The Cambridge City Council appointed 14 members to a new task force charged with tackling the rising cost of childcare — assembling the second group intended to assess affordability measures in the last four months.
Cambridge Allocates $500,000 for Benefits Assistance to Combat Cuts to SNAP, MassHealth
The Cambridge City Council approved $500,000 to help residents stay enrolled in food and health benefit programs after federal cuts left residents struggling to find resources and eligibility for federally funded benefits shifted.
Judge Dismisses Domestic Violence Charges Against HMS Professor
A district court judge dismissed the case against a Harvard Medical School professor who was charged with multiple incidents of domestic violence after the victim who reported the attacks did not appear at a trial hearing.
Cambridge Schools Ban Smart Glasses and Other Wearable Recording Devices
Cambridge Public Schools banned the use of smart glasses across the district — prohibiting students from carrying them on all school property as district officials move to regulate emerging technology before it becomes a classroom issue.
SoundThinking Commissions Survey to Solicit Resident Opinions on ShotSpotter
The company behind ShotSpotter commissioned a survey to solicit Cambridge residents’ opinions on the technology — roughly a week before the city began recruiting residents for an advisory body that will weigh whether to permanently ban it.
Wu Says Boston Won’t Follow New York’s Lead in Restricting AI in Public Schools
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 signaled Wednesday that the city will not follow New York City and other “peer cities” in pausing or restricting the use of artificial intelligence in Boston Public Schools, defending Boston’s push to teach students how to use the technology responsibly.
Cambridge Halves Participatory Budgeting Funding to $500,000
Cambridge will halve its allocation for participatory budgeting this year, reducing the program’s allocation to $500,000, even as the city commits to increasing funding over the next five years.
Lander, Brownsberger Seek Districtwide Recount in Four-Vote State Senate Race
First-time challenger Daniel A. Lander ’14 held a four-point lead over incumbent state Senator William N. Brownsberger ’78 as of Thursday afternoon, with 99 percent of votes counted, as both candidates sought a districtwide recount.
City Sets Date to Convene Resident Assembly on Surveillance Technology
Nearly a third of Cambridge households will be invited to join a resident assembly to weigh in on surveillance technology in the city next week, according to a Wednesday announcement from the city.
Fact-Checking Claims in the 25th Middlesex District Democratic Primary
With accusations flying in the final days of the 25th Middlesex District Democratic primary, The Crimson fact-checked claims from Marjorie C. Decker and Evan C. MacKay ’19.
Your Guide to the 2026 Massachusetts State Primary
As Cambridge voters head to the polls for Massachusetts’ Sept. 1 state primary, The Crimson is covering the races shaping the city — from campaign finances and endorsements to candidate claims, voter turnout, and Election Day results.
PACs Report Nearly $130,000 in Support of Decker’s Reelection Bid
Days before the Sept. 1 Democratic primary, a super PAC backing Representative Marjorie C. Decker’s reelection bid reported nearly $108,000 in advertising and other campaign activity, bringing reported outside support for Decker to nearly $130,000.
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