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SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 17 – Brian Shortsleeve Gubernatorial Forum

We speak with Brian Shortsleeve, who is running for Governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Shortsleeve is a marine and entrepreneur who served as Head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) under former Governor Charlie Baker.

The conversation centers on Mr. Shortsleeve’s views about rent control, tenant right of first refusal (also known as the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA), the broker fee debate, eviction sealing, and transparency in government. We discuss the state’s
funding of an extremist group that directed hate speech against property owners and others using taxpayer money. We address the need for more housing supply, as well as increased competition, to reduce prices and alleviate a struggling economic environment.
We further address the high cost of energy, public safety, high taxes on the struggling business sector, public transportation, and SPOA’s plan to help tenants achieve homeownership, while rewarding rental property owners for their contributions within a private-public
partnership.

Mr. Shortsleeve answers questions from SPOA members and our panel, which includes media personality Mike Urban, who hosts The Mike Urban Show, news reporter Scott Van Voorhis, who edits the independent newspaper Contrarian Boston, and SPOA President Allison
Drescher.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the discussion.

As an organization, the Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) does not endorse political candidates. Therefore, this conversation is not an endorsement of Mr. Shortsleeve’s candidacy by SPOA. However, SPOA extends an open invitation to all candidates to
share their views about housing with us, whether they are running for governor or another office. We bring this information to you for educational purposes, but it is up to you, the voters, to decide the merits of the candidates’ positions.

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 16 – The Volunteer Lawyers Project

Although small landlords are not confined by definition to the number of units they own, or whether they live inside their rental properties, a smaller subsection within this community includes lower income housing providers who live in their rentals and who need more help navigating various challenges. The conversation centers on the mission and the services provided by the nonprofit Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) in helping these particular owners on a pro bono basis.

The panel includes VLP Attorneys Kevin Walsh and Sarah Mullis, in addition to Paralegal Amana Hill.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the discussion.

BNP Ep3

Sam Mintz of Brookline.News and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups.

TV on TV – Dave Cavell

Tommy Vitolo interviews Dave Cavell, Executive Consultant at the Brookline Community Development Corporation.