At yesterday's Zoomed-in City Council meeting, Councilor Frank Baker (Dorchester), delayed action on a resolution calling on the city and state to freeze rents, mortgages, evictions and foreclosures during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
Councilor Ricardo Arroyo (Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan) had introduced the resolution (see below for copy), noting Mayor Walsh has already asked landlords to hold off evictions of suddenly jobless tenants and that the BHA and several non-profit landlords have agreed to do that.
Under council rules, proposed actions normally get introduced then sent to a committee for at least one hearing before the council actually votes on them. But on introducing his proposal, Arroyo asked for a suspension of the rules so that the council could vote immediately.
A rules suspension requires a unanimous vote. According to notes by Councilor Michelle Wu (at large), Baker - who is himself a small landlord - objected because "the matter was too complex and out of the City’s authority, so the docket was assigned to the Committee on Housing & Community Development."
Arroyo is now trying to organize an e-mail campaign to barrage Baker with messages from people who support the idea.
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Comments
BAKERS RIGHT
By StevefromT
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 1:00pm
Arroyo is pandering to people. If Baker wanted to take shots at his family he could (we all know they got skeletons publicly). Franks not that type of guy and I’m not even really crazy about him. I own a two family. I charge rent to cover a good cost of my mortgage. My tenant pays me fair market rent for Adams Corner , I still got to pay the bank or I’m going to be out on the street with my tenant . These progressives don’t know how money and businesss works. Why don’t they go after BU and Harvard for money. Thought so
No, Frank is still great
By Cutter
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:33pm
He busts his ass to make development and state agencies listen to his community. Fighting to get the neighborhood reconnected for pedestrians and cyclists to the waterfront across Morrissey Boulevard. He's great.
Where is he? I want to shake his hand!
By bostondriver
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 1:45pm
*cough* *cough*
Resolution
By Constituent
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 2:38pm
Thank you Councilor Baker for your level-headed non-reactionary approach to all matters regarding your constituents. Your voice on the Council is very necessary in the midst of the misled ideologists you share the Chamber with.
Resolution vs. a law
By anon
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 2:45pm
It was a resolution, not a law, or an ordinance, as they are called at the city level. Most resolutions are congratulatory, e.g. someone's 100th birthday, achievement, etc.
The other category is a resolution in support of a particular policy or piece of legislation, like this one. Marty Walsh and the Great Boston Real Estate Board already announced an agreement to halt evictions. Baker announced it as well. It's a bit moot, since the courts are closed.
Suspending all rent and mortgage payments is extreme. Suspending evictions due to failure to pay rent or mortgages makes sense. It should have been done during the financial crisis. If people can pay, they should. If they cannot, talk to your landlord or bank first.
Businesses are going to have a hard time with these payments as well, retail and bars/restaurants, entertainment and the arts.
Adam, you’re better than this
By Lmo
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 6:30pm
Did anyone watch the video from the City Council Meeting? Baker invoked rule 33 to send this to committee, as it is a complex issue. The City Council has no authority here. They should use the power they have to help residents on a local level and let the Mayor and Governor continue to work with mortgage companies. Arroyo was pandering, the resolution would have done nothing.
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