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SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 21 – Mike Kennealy Gubernatorial Forum

From SPOA:
“We are pleased to release Episode 21 of SPOA Housing Policy Series, which is called “Mike Kennealy Gubernatorial Forum.”

We speak with Mike Kennealy, who is running for Governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Kennealy served as the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under former Governor Charlie Baker. Prior to that, he served as Special Advisor in reforming the Lawrence Public Schools, following a career as a business leader in the private sector.

The conversation centers on Mr. Kennealy’s housing positions, including his views about rent control, tenant right of first refusal (also known as the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA), eviction sealing, tenant credit check restrictions, 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, high taxes on the struggling business sector, the potential overturn of Proposition 2½, and SPOA’s plan to help tenants achieve homeownership, while rewarding rental property owners for their contributions within a private-public partnership. In addition, what is Mr. Kennealy’s message to small property owners struggling in Massachusetts?

Mr. Kennealy answers questions from SPOA members and our panel, which includes news reporter Scott Van Voorhis, who edits the independent newspaper Contrarian Boston, and Tony Lopes, the principal of M7 Real Estate Group.

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. Kennealy’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.”

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