The Fort Pointer
@fortpointer.bsky.social
Tweets and opinions mostly regarding Fort Point, Boston. Lover of all things creative, worldly and aspirational. Otherwise bristly.
fortpointer.com Also: fortpoint.org fortpointpier.com
fortpointer.com Also: fortpoint.org fortpointpier.com
Senator Collins’ MAGA-aligned work to undermine the siting of a temporary migrant shelter in Fort Point was the last straw.
Collins has been AWOL in community; AWOL on local civic investment; AWOL on climate planning; AWOL on Trump, even silent on the HUD lawsuit against Boston.
Enough is enough.
Collins has been AWOL in community; AWOL on local civic investment; AWOL on climate planning; AWOL on Trump, even silent on the HUD lawsuit against Boston.
Enough is enough.
Learned today that Mayor Wu’s residential tax relief plan had earned the support of nearly every elected official representing Boston.
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
January 16, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Senator Collins’ MAGA-aligned work to undermine the siting of a temporary migrant shelter in Fort Point was the last straw.
Collins has been AWOL in community; AWOL on local civic investment; AWOL on climate planning; AWOL on Trump, even silent on the HUD lawsuit against Boston.
Enough is enough.
Collins has been AWOL in community; AWOL on local civic investment; AWOL on climate planning; AWOL on Trump, even silent on the HUD lawsuit against Boston.
Enough is enough.
Learned today that Mayor Wu’s residential tax relief plan had earned the support of nearly every elected official representing Boston.
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
January 16, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Learned today that Mayor Wu’s residential tax relief plan had earned the support of nearly every elected official representing Boston.
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
Supported by:
12 of 13 City Councilors
16 of 16 State Reps
4 of 6 State Senators
Opposed only by:
Councilor Flynn
Senator Collins
Senator Brownsberger
TODAY 11 AM — Have an issue that needs addressing? Lydia of Office of Neighborhood Services is hosting Office Hours
January 16, 2026 at 10:42 AM
TODAY 11 AM — Have an issue that needs addressing? Lydia of Office of Neighborhood Services is hosting Office Hours
Yvonne Abraham: ‘When I came here, it was beautiful’: The cost of Trump attacks on the Somali community www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/15/m...
‘When I came here, it was beautiful’: The cost of Trump attacks on the Somali community - The Boston Globe
Somali immigrants put their faith in what this country stood for. The president is destroying it.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Yvonne Abraham: ‘When I came here, it was beautiful’: The cost of Trump attacks on the Somali community www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/15/m...
No line at Legal Seafood today for a $1 cup or $2 bowl of chowder. Takeout and on-scene slurpers are/were welcome. Had a fish sandwich too! 🐠
January 15, 2026 at 9:01 PM
No line at Legal Seafood today for a $1 cup or $2 bowl of chowder. Takeout and on-scene slurpers are/were welcome. Had a fish sandwich too! 🐠
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
TAX SHIFT LATEST via my State House News Service colleagues:
Majority of Boston's state senators vote for Mayor Wu's tax shift proposal via Sen. Rush amendment, which dies in 5-33 vote
Sens. Edwards, Miranda, Rush, and DiDomenico voted yes. (Sen. Jehlen also voted for it)
Majority of Boston's state senators vote for Mayor Wu's tax shift proposal via Sen. Rush amendment, which dies in 5-33 vote
Sens. Edwards, Miranda, Rush, and DiDomenico voted yes. (Sen. Jehlen also voted for it)
January 15, 2026 at 7:50 PM
TAX SHIFT LATEST via my State House News Service colleagues:
Majority of Boston's state senators vote for Mayor Wu's tax shift proposal via Sen. Rush amendment, which dies in 5-33 vote
Sens. Edwards, Miranda, Rush, and DiDomenico voted yes. (Sen. Jehlen also voted for it)
Majority of Boston's state senators vote for Mayor Wu's tax shift proposal via Sen. Rush amendment, which dies in 5-33 vote
Sens. Edwards, Miranda, Rush, and DiDomenico voted yes. (Sen. Jehlen also voted for it)
The Rush amendment has been defeated, 33-5.
Senator Collins, responsible for blocking Mayor Wu’s proposal from being debated or even voted upon for over a year, opposed the Rush amendment.
Senator Collins, responsible for blocking Mayor Wu’s proposal from being debated or even voted upon for over a year, opposed the Rush amendment.
Senator Lydia Edwards is supporting Mike Rush’s amendment on the Senate floor, an amendment mirroring Mayor Wu’s plan for residential tax relief. 🔥
January 15, 2026 at 7:41 PM
The Rush amendment has been defeated, 33-5.
Senator Collins, responsible for blocking Mayor Wu’s proposal from being debated or even voted upon for over a year, opposed the Rush amendment.
Senator Collins, responsible for blocking Mayor Wu’s proposal from being debated or even voted upon for over a year, opposed the Rush amendment.
Senator Lydia Edwards is supporting Mike Rush’s amendment on the Senate floor, an amendment mirroring Mayor Wu’s plan for residential tax relief. 🔥
January 15, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Senator Lydia Edwards is supporting Mike Rush’s amendment on the Senate floor, an amendment mirroring Mayor Wu’s plan for residential tax relief. 🔥
@billforry.bsky.social I agree with you and DotNews editorials on so many issues. I agree that Brian Worrell would have been a terrific Councilor.
But I want to argue:
1) It's not a coronation.
2) Coletta Zapata is not a toady; she *earned* a shot at President. She's been trashed unfairly.
1/x
But I want to argue:
1) It's not a coronation.
2) Coletta Zapata is not a toady; she *earned* a shot at President. She's been trashed unfairly.
1/x
January 15, 2026 at 7:16 PM
@billforry.bsky.social I agree with you and DotNews editorials on so many issues. I agree that Brian Worrell would have been a terrific Councilor.
But I want to argue:
1) It's not a coronation.
2) Coletta Zapata is not a toady; she *earned* a shot at President. She's been trashed unfairly.
1/x
But I want to argue:
1) It's not a coronation.
2) Coletta Zapata is not a toady; she *earned* a shot at President. She's been trashed unfairly.
1/x
State Senate livestream… malegislature.gov/Events/Sessi...
Session Details - Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar)
malegislature.gov
January 15, 2026 at 6:14 PM
State Senate livestream… malegislature.gov/Events/Sessi...
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
The national headwinds that are on such stark and frightening display in Minneapolis should be top of mind for our city councillors, who are all very much in the same foxhole with the rest of us.
Editorial— The intrigue surrounding the Boston City Council's vote to choose its leader last week was nothing new for the 13-member body.
www.dotnews.com/2026/lessons...
www.dotnews.com/2026/lessons...
Lessons from Council gavel contests past and present - Dorchester Reporter
As many longtime observers of the Boston City Council know, it’s not unheard of for an eleventh-hour switch-up to upend expectations on who will be president.
www.dotnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:33 PM
The national headwinds that are on such stark and frightening display in Minneapolis should be top of mind for our city councillors, who are all very much in the same foxhole with the rest of us.
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
If the President believes he can unlawfully withhold critical mental health, homelessness, and substance use funding from states, my office will have something to say about that.
See you in court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
See you in court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services. The cuts could total as much as $2 billion.
www.npr.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:40 PM
If the President believes he can unlawfully withhold critical mental health, homelessness, and substance use funding from states, my office will have something to say about that.
See you in court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
See you in court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
Tell your state senator to support Amendment #6 to S.2899.
The Senate's bills all mean cuts to city services in practices, and Amendment #6 would allow for residential property tax relief without harmful service cuts.
#bospoli
The Senate's bills all mean cuts to city services in practices, and Amendment #6 would allow for residential property tax relief without harmful service cuts.
#bospoli
January 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Tell your state senator to support Amendment #6 to S.2899.
The Senate's bills all mean cuts to city services in practices, and Amendment #6 would allow for residential property tax relief without harmful service cuts.
#bospoli
The Senate's bills all mean cuts to city services in practices, and Amendment #6 would allow for residential property tax relief without harmful service cuts.
#bospoli
Senator Collin's Facebook page.
January 15, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Senator Collin's Facebook page.
Last year, the City of Boston apparently agreed it would not increase commercial property values when a reassessment was triggered by the filing of an appeal.
Today, the Herald: 1) creates news where none exists, and 2) falsely suggests the City’s good faith offer was an admission of wrongdoing.
Today, the Herald: 1) creates news where none exists, and 2) falsely suggests the City’s good faith offer was an admission of wrongdoing.
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Last year, the City of Boston apparently agreed it would not increase commercial property values when a reassessment was triggered by the filing of an appeal.
Today, the Herald: 1) creates news where none exists, and 2) falsely suggests the City’s good faith offer was an admission of wrongdoing.
Today, the Herald: 1) creates news where none exists, and 2) falsely suggests the City’s good faith offer was an admission of wrongdoing.
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
Public records requests are so important, as are the volunteer hours required to analyze the results and then insist over and over and over again that powerful people stay true to their word.
It takes relentless work, but it’s worth it.
It takes relentless work, but it’s worth it.
UPDATE: As a result of independent mining of BPDA docs, BXP has agreed to provide 5,000sf of subsidized arts/museum nonprofit space w the departure of BSA from its former 20,000sf "BSA Space" at Atlantic Wharf.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
UPDATE: I have received a response to my Public Records Request from BPDA re. Atlantic Wharf permitting circa 2010.
👉 Last month, following years of pushback, BXP acknowledged that my recall was correct: When BSA leaves BSA Space, BXP is obligated to a subsidized tenancy. And more.
Stay tuned.
👉 Last month, following years of pushback, BXP acknowledged that my recall was correct: When BSA leaves BSA Space, BXP is obligated to a subsidized tenancy. And more.
Stay tuned.
January 15, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Public records requests are so important, as are the volunteer hours required to analyze the results and then insist over and over and over again that powerful people stay true to their word.
It takes relentless work, but it’s worth it.
It takes relentless work, but it’s worth it.
Bootlicker Battenfeld isn’t all tough talk today regarding Trump’s unwarranted, anti-American invasion of Boston.
January 15, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Bootlicker Battenfeld isn’t all tough talk today regarding Trump’s unwarranted, anti-American invasion of Boston.
UPDATE: As a result of independent mining of BPDA docs, BXP has agreed to provide 5,000sf of subsidized arts/museum nonprofit space w the departure of BSA from its former 20,000sf "BSA Space" at Atlantic Wharf.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
UPDATE: I have received a response to my Public Records Request from BPDA re. Atlantic Wharf permitting circa 2010.
👉 Last month, following years of pushback, BXP acknowledged that my recall was correct: When BSA leaves BSA Space, BXP is obligated to a subsidized tenancy. And more.
Stay tuned.
👉 Last month, following years of pushback, BXP acknowledged that my recall was correct: When BSA leaves BSA Space, BXP is obligated to a subsidized tenancy. And more.
Stay tuned.
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
UPDATE: As a result of independent mining of BPDA docs, BXP has agreed to provide 5,000sf of subsidized arts/museum nonprofit space w the departure of BSA from its former 20,000sf "BSA Space" at Atlantic Wharf.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
BPDA responded to PRR requests but another EPIC FAIL on compliance. And I mean EPIC.
Today: Will Senator @nickcollinma (on X) support a ROLL CALL vote on Senator Rush's amendment proposing Mayor Wu's revenue neutral plan for residential tax relief?
Accountability matters. And let's be clear, Boston's surplus is not "free cash."
Info: www.fortpointer.com/Archive/rush...
Accountability matters. And let's be clear, Boston's surplus is not "free cash."
Info: www.fortpointer.com/Archive/rush...
January 15, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Today: Will Senator @nickcollinma (on X) support a ROLL CALL vote on Senator Rush's amendment proposing Mayor Wu's revenue neutral plan for residential tax relief?
Accountability matters. And let's be clear, Boston's surplus is not "free cash."
Info: www.fortpointer.com/Archive/rush...
Accountability matters. And let's be clear, Boston's surplus is not "free cash."
Info: www.fortpointer.com/Archive/rush...
‘Callous and cruel’: Mass. agencies reeling from $1.9 billion Trump cuts to addiction, mental health grants… www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/14/m...
‘Callous and cruel’: Mass. agencies reeling from $1.9 billion Trump cuts to addiction, mental health grants - The Boston Globe
The canceled funding imperils scores of programs that serve children, people with substance use disorders, and some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:51 AM
‘Callous and cruel’: Mass. agencies reeling from $1.9 billion Trump cuts to addiction, mental health grants… www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/14/m...
Tomorrow: $1 cups and $2 bowls of chowder all day long, at all Legal Seafood locations.
See you downtown! 🥣
See you downtown! 🥣
January 15, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Tomorrow: $1 cups and $2 bowls of chowder all day long, at all Legal Seafood locations.
See you downtown! 🥣
See you downtown! 🥣
UPDATE from DEP last night
1. Related Beal has filed a Chapter 91 license application for the elevated stage and overlook. If I understand correctly, this can't move forward until there's sign-off from property owner National/ARE.
2. 232 A St remains in a holding pattern awaiting 411 from Tishman.
1. Related Beal has filed a Chapter 91 license application for the elevated stage and overlook. If I understand correctly, this can't move forward until there's sign-off from property owner National/ARE.
2. 232 A St remains in a holding pattern awaiting 411 from Tishman.
January 14, 2026 at 8:09 PM
UPDATE from DEP last night
1. Related Beal has filed a Chapter 91 license application for the elevated stage and overlook. If I understand correctly, this can't move forward until there's sign-off from property owner National/ARE.
2. 232 A St remains in a holding pattern awaiting 411 from Tishman.
1. Related Beal has filed a Chapter 91 license application for the elevated stage and overlook. If I understand correctly, this can't move forward until there's sign-off from property owner National/ARE.
2. 232 A St remains in a holding pattern awaiting 411 from Tishman.
FULL INTERVIEW: One-on-One with Boston City Council President Liz Breadon... youtu.be/hiqefdVzZHE?...
FULL INTERVIEW: One-on-One with Boston City Council President Liz Breadon
YouTube video by NBC10 Boston
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 7:10 PM
FULL INTERVIEW: One-on-One with Boston City Council President Liz Breadon... youtu.be/hiqefdVzZHE?...
Reposted by The Fort Pointer
Southie’s Bluebikes network keeps growing!
The new Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square station means more options to grab a bike when you need one.
📍 Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square (South Boston)
#Bluebikes #SouthBoston #Southie #Bikeshare
The new Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square station means more options to grab a bike when you need one.
📍 Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square (South Boston)
#Bluebikes #SouthBoston #Southie #Bikeshare
January 14, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Southie’s Bluebikes network keeps growing!
The new Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square station means more options to grab a bike when you need one.
📍 Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square (South Boston)
#Bluebikes #SouthBoston #Southie #Bikeshare
The new Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square station means more options to grab a bike when you need one.
📍 Mary Ellen McCormack Sterling Square (South Boston)
#Bluebikes #SouthBoston #Southie #Bikeshare