>> TONIGHT ON "TALKING POLITICS," WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY IN BOSTON, WE TAKE YOU TO ANOTHER KEY RACE IN BOSTON'’S CITY COUNCIL.

TWO CANDIDATES JOIN ME WITH THEIR VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE DISTRICT.

WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION, TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE STATE, APPARENTLY SOME VOTERS THINK THERE IS A LOT STILL TO BE DESIRED.

TO HELP US BREAK IT ALL DOWN, I AM JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE UMASS POLL AND "BOSTON GLOBE" COLUMNIST.

GOOD NEWS FOR GOVERNOR HEALY, SHE HAS A PRETTY HIGH APPROVAL RATING, 58% OVERALL, AND SHE IS IMPROVING WITH SOME GROUPS THAT YOU WOULD NOT NECESSARILY EXPECT TO THINK HIGHLY OF HER.

>> SHE IS KIND OF IN THE HONEYMOON PHASE BECAUSE SIX OF 10 VOTERS APPROVE OF THE JOB SHE IS DOING.

THEY USE REALLY POSITIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HER LIKE STRONG AND COMPETENT, SMART.

SHE IS ENJOYING A LOT OF FAVORABLE ATTENTION FROM THE PUBLIC, AND THIS COMES FROM THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

DEMOCRATS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, YOUNG PEOPLE, WOMEN ALL EXPRESS HIGH APPROVAL RATINGS OF THE GOVERNOR, BUT REALLY SURPRISINGLY SINCE WE PULLED IN APRIL, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN JOB APPROVAL FROM REPUBLICANS, FROM CONSERVATIVES AS WELL AS FROM TRUMP VOTERS, AND WHEN ASSESSING IF GOVERNOR HEALY HAS EXCEEDED, MET, OR HAS COME IN LOWER THAN EXPECTATIONS, REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP VOTERS HAVE INCREASED THEIR PERCEPTION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, SO THIS WAS QUITE SURPRISING FOR US, BUT I THINK IT REFLECTS ONE OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HEALY HAS ATTEMPTED TO GAIN HERE, WHICH IS TO SEEK SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARTISAN DIVIDE.

SHE'’S REALLY TAKING A PAGE OUT OF BAKER'’S PLAYBOOK.

>> SHE SEEMED TO DO THAT FROM THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN AND SEEMS TO BE PRETTY GOOD AT IT, AS YOU SAY.

I WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT YOU GOT THAT HIGH FAVORABILITY MARK ON THE ONE HAND, AND YET, ON SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES FACING MASSACHUSETTS, PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK NOT NEARLY AS HIGHLY AS WILL -- NOT NEARLY AS HIGHLY OF WHAT SHE IS DOING.

STARTING WITH A HOUSING SHORTAGE AND AFFORDABILITY, 51% SAY SHE IS NOT DOING TOO WELL OR NOT DOING WELL AT ALL COMPARED TO JUST 28% WHO SAY SHE IS DOING VERY WELL OR SOMEWHAT WELL.

ON THE MBTA, 43% SAY SHE IS NOT DOING TOO WELL OR NOT DOING WELL AT ALL COMPARED TO 34% WHO HAVE BEEN MORE FAVORABLE ASSESSMENT AND ON TRANSPORTATION IN GENERAL, 41% SAY NOT TOO WELL OR NOT WELL AT ALL COMPARED TO 35% WHO GIVE HER BETTER MARKS.

HOW DO YOU SQUARE ON THE ONE HAND HIGH FAVORABILITY, ON THE OTHER HAND, LOW GRADES OR LOW MARKS FOR THE ISSUES THAT SEEM TO BE TOP OF MIND FOR MOST PEOPLE?

>> I THINK THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE VOTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT ARE A REFLECTION, AT LEAST DIRECTLY, ON THE HEALY ADMINISTRATION.

THESE ARE PROBLEMS SHE INHERITED NOT JUST FROM THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION BUT EVEN GOING BACK TO THE FAST FROM -- BACK TO THE PAST FROM VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS.

I THINK THIS IS A COMMUNICATION BY THE VOTERS THAT THESE ARE THE ISSUES THEY WANT GOVERNOR HEALY TO TACKLE AND TO TACKLE DIRECTLY AND TO TACKLE PROMPTLY.

TO HER CREDIT, SHE MOVED ON FROM HER LEGISLATIVE VICTORY AND TAX REFORM IT IS NOT REALLY FOCUSED ON THE ISSUE OF HOUSING AND THE ISSUE OF THE MIGRANT CRISIS AS WELL.

AND THE MBTA AS WELL.

SHE REALLY HAS FOCUSED ON THESE ISSUES, AND I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS JUST, AGAIN, A COMMUNICATION THAT THESE ARE THE CENTRAL ISSUES UPON WHICH VOTERS WILL ASSESS THE GOVERNOR GOING FORWARD, AND IF SHE WANTS TO BECOME A TWO-TERM GOVERNOR, SHE WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE SOME SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH THE SAFETY OF THE MBTA AND DEALING WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HOUSING SHORTAGE AND AFFORDABILITY AND DEALING WITH THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

>> YOU PULLED ON THESE ISSUES INCLUDING HOUSING BEFORE SHE ROLLED OUT HER HOUSING PLAN.

JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT ON THE TABLE.

GIVEN THAT GOVERNOR HEALY HAS BEEN IN OFFICE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR, WERE YOU SURPRISED TO SEE VOTERS GIVE A THUMBS DOWN TO HER HANDLING OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT?

>> NOT REALLY.

I THINK I MAY HAVE PREDICTED ON THIS SHOW.

>> I WISH WE HAD THAT READY.

>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID BEFORE, BUT WHEN SHE RAN FOR GOVERNOR, SHE TOOK ON THE ISSUES OF HOUSING, AND SHE MADE PROMISES ABOUT THEM, AND I THINK VOTERS ARE KIND OF RIGHTLY HOLDING HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT, BUT THESE ARE REALLY TOUGH ISSUES.

FOR EXAMPLE, ON HOUSING, I MEAN, CHARLIE BAKER GETS THE CREDIT HE DESERVES FOR PUTTING IN PLACE THE MBTA COMMUNITIES LAW, WHICH REQUIRES CITIES AND TOWNS TO COME UP WITH SOME MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OFFICE AND, BUT COMMUNITIES ARE RESISTING THAT -- MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PLAN.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE CITIES AND TOWNS SAY NOT HERE, SO SHE HAS TO BALANCE THOSE CONFLICTING THINGS.

WITH THE T, IT IS THE SAME THING.

SHE INHERITED SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND WE ARE JUST NOW LEARNING THE EXTENT OF THEM.

DELIVERING ON THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, AND SHE HAS TAKEN THEM ON, SO SHE OWNS IT.

>> AGAIN WITH THE CAVEAT SHE HAS ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR AT THIS POINT.

IT SEEMED TO ME -- AND YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'’M WRONG, BUT MY RECOLLECTION FROM THE BAKER YEARS WAS ALL SORTS OF BIG THINGS COULD GO WRONG, AND HIS POPULARITY WOULD STILL BE RIGHT AROUND 70%, TOP IN THE NATION, NUMBER TWO IN THE NATION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE SEE HER STARTING AT A LOWER MARK.

DO YOU THINK THE POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE OF HER PERFORMANCE WILL BE AS DURABLE AS THE ONE FOR GOVERNOR BAKER?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THERE SHOULD BE A COURSE AT THE KENNEDY SCHOOL ON CHARLIE BAKER -- HOW TO BE A GOVERNOR AND NEVER BE BLAMED FOR ANYTHING.

PEOPLE COULD SIGN UP FOR THAT IN DROVES.

I THINK HER POPULARITY WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE AS HIGH AS THAT.

THAT IS JUST SOME INFLATED NUMBER THAT JUST IS GOD-LIKE, HONESTLY.

DON'’T QUOTE ME ON THAT.

>> TOO LATE FOR THAT.

AND THERE'’S DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN ATTRIBUTE IT TO, RIGHT?

PEOPLE LIKE TO POINT OUT EVERYTHING FROM HIS STATURE TO HIS DEMEANOR TO THE FACT THAT MAYBE HE GOT AN UPGRADE FOR BEING A SANE REPUBLICAN IN THE TRUMP YEARS.

>> THEIR DURABILITY COMES FROM WHAT WAS POINTED OUT PREVIOUSLY.

SHE IS GOVERNING FROM THE CENTER, JUST LIKE HE DID.

OR TRYING TO EMULATE THE MODEL HE FOLLOWED, IF IT'’S ON TAX RELIEF OR ON THE MIGRANT CRISIS, THE RIGHT TO SHELTER LAW.

SHE'’S TRYING TO FIND THAT SORT OF SWEET SPOT IN THE MIDDLE.

RIGHT NOW IT IS THE PROGRESSIVES THAT ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HER.

HONESTLY, I THINK SHE IS PRETTY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

SHE IS PROBABLY DELIGHTED TO KNOW THAT THE INDEPENDENTS AND EVEN TRUMP VOTERS AND REPUBLICANS THINK HIGHLY OF HER RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS KIND OF WHERE MASSACHUSETTS IS RIGHT NOW.

IT IS MORE IN THE MIDDLE THEN FAR TO THE LEFT AS PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF MASSACHUSETTS LIKE TO THINK OF IT.

>> JUST BOUNCING OFF OF WHAT JOAN JUST SAID, MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT IN YOUR POLE, SHE DID GET HIGH MARKS FROM PROGRESSIVES IN CERTAIN AREAS, RIGHT?

AROUND SOME TOPICS THOUGHT OF AS PROGRESSIVE PRIORITIES.

WHAT WERE THEY?

>> SHE GETS HIGH MARKS ACROSS THE BOARD FROM PROGRESSIVES, AND I THINK THIS IS A REFLECTION IN SOME WAYS AGAIN OF THAT HONEYMOON PHASE WHERE THERE IS CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNOR, BUT THAT CRITICISM IS NOT GOING TO BE NECESSARILY PUBLIC.

YOU SAW THAT WITH TAX REFORM.

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS ON TAX REFORM.

THAT IS NOT INCONGRUENT WITH PROGRESSIVE INCLINATIONS.

THERE ARE THESE ISSUES, AND AGAIN, ON TAXES IN PARTICULAR THAT PROGRESSIVES FOUND GOVERNOR HEALY TO BE NOT NECESSARILY WHAT THEY INTENDED OR PAID FOR, AND SO THE QUESTION GOING FORWARD IS -- IS SHE GOING TO TACKLE THE ISSUES THAT PROGRESSIVES CARE ABOUT?

ONE OF THE CENTRAL ISSUES THAT NOT JUST PROGRESSIVES BUT EVERYONE IN THE STATE CARES ABOUT IS THIS ISSUE OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.

WHAT'’S INTERESTING FROM OUR POLL IS THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH NIMBYISM.

PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL, AND THIS IS ACROSS THE BOARD, DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS AND POLITICAL GROUPS, SO THERE IS MOMENTUM FOR DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM.

IF SHE WILL HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL AND THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY, THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY ON THIS IS GOING TO BE THE QUESTION GOING FORWARD.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE, GIVEN THE BIG HOUSING PACKAGE SHE ROLLED OUT AFTER YOUR POLLING WAS COMPLETED, SHE SEEMS TO WANT TO DO THAT.

WE WILL SEE IF THE LEGISLATURE GOES ALONG WITH IT.

THIS IS A MORE SUBJECTIVE QUESTION.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBERS ASSEMBLED, BUT AS YOU HAVE WATCHED HEALY'’S GOVERNORSHIP ROLLOUT, HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO MEDIA COVERAGE OF HER AND HOW SHE IS DOING HER JOB COMPARED TO THE COVERAGE THAT GOVERNOR BAKER RECEIVED?

>> WELL, I'’M NOT COVERING HER DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK HER COVERAGE HAS BEEN PRETTY FAVORABLE.

I'’M SURE WHEN YOU ARE IN THE OFFICE, YOU REMEMBER THE HEADLINES YOU DON'’T LIKE OR THE ANALYSES YOU DON'’T LIKE.

I THINK HER COVERAGE HAS BEEN FAVORABLE.

I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS THE PRISM THROUGH WHICH WE LOOK AT THEIR LEADERSHIP STYLES.

BAKER, WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, IS SORT OF A TALL, CONFIDENT PERSON WHO HELD A LOT OF PRESS CONFERENCES, TOOK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, ACTUALLY LOOKED AND SOUNDED MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN HE REALLY WAS, BUT A LOT OF THAT WAS SEEN THROUGH COVID, AND I THINK THAT'’S REALLY HOW HE WILL BE THOUGHT OF AND REMEMBERED AND DEFINED.

I THINK OF GOVERNOR HEALY AS STILL A LAWYER WHO PROSECUTES A CASE LESS THAN A POLITICIAN WHO USES THE BULLY PULPIT TO SODA PRESS HER BECAUSE -- TWO SORT OF PRESS HER CAUSE AND MAKE HER ARGUMENT TO THE PUBLIC.

SHE COMES OFF AS MORE CAUTIOUS AND GUARDED.

THAT MAY CHANGE OVER TIME.

SHE IS A NATURAL POLITICIAN IN LOTS OF WAYS.

PUT A BASKETBALL IN HER HAND AND SHE IS FABULOUS, BUT I THINK THAT IS A GIVE AND TAKE, BUT THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW IN HOW THEY ARE BEING COVERED.

>> THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND REMINDS ME OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE SHE GAVE WHEN SHE ROLLED OUT THAT HOUSING PLAN.

THAT, TO ME, WAS THE MOST ANIMATED HAND IN PASSION AND SUSTAINED WAY I HAVE SEEN HER, SO MAYBE THAT IS THE BIG PICTURE.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AFTER A DECADE REPRESENTING MUCH OF DORCHESTER AND SOUTH OF GLOUCESTER, BOSTON CITY COUNCILMAN FRANK BAKER IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THIS TERM.

ON NOVEMBER 7, JOHN FITZGERALD AND JOEL RICHARDS WILL GO HEAD TO HEAD FOR HIS THIRD DISTRICT SEAT.

THAT'’S AFTER EARLY VOTING, OF COURSE.

JOHN FITZGERALD -- JOEL RICHARDS AS A PASTOR AND FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND JOINS ME NOW.

YOU ANNOUNCED YOU WERE GOING TO RUN FOR THE SEAT BEFORE FRANK BAKER SAID HE WAS NOT SEEKING REELECTION, CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

>> WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO TAKE HIM ON THE APP QUICKLY REDISTRICTING HAPPENED.

THE PROBLEMS WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW ARE URGENT.

DOES IT USUALLY THE THINGS I THINK ABOUT, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE FAILING SCHOOLS OR CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND SCHOOLS.

I HAVE TWO KIDS IN TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS WITH THE SAME START TIME AND DIFFERENT END TIMES, AND THAT IS A COMMON STORY AMONG BOSTON PARENTS.

THAT IS NOT A RECIPE TO KEEP BOSTONIANS IN BOSTON.

MY FRIENDS ARE CONSISTENTLY LEAVING THE CITY FOR TWO REASONS, EITHER BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOLS OR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING TO BUY IN THIS CITY.

ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD JUST LET THE CITY THIS SATURDAY.

HIM AND HIS FIANCÉE ARE BOTH TEACHERS.

THEY GOT APPROVED FOR $500,000, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO BUY IN THE CITY.

>> I BELIEVE IT.

>> THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT MADE ME WANT TO STEP UP AND JUMP IN AND TRY TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO.

>> I THINK OF FRANK BAKER AS ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

I DON'’T THINK I'’M ALONE IN THAT ASSESSMENT.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF IDEOLOGICALLY?

>> THE WORK.

A LOT OF TIMES WE TRY TO PUT OURSELVES IN A CATEGORY, LEFT, RIGHT, OR CENTER, BUT I'’M ABOUT PUTTING IN THE WORK.

ABOUT GOING TO THE MAYOR AND ASKING WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET A SCHOOL ON MY SIDE OF TOWN?

WE NEED A NEW SCHOOL LIKE FENWAY GOT A NEW SCHOOL.

THAT IS MY IDEOLOGY.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO UNITE PARENT GROUPS, NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE NATIONALLY OR THEOLOGICALLY?

WE ALL NEED A GOOD SCHOOL, CORRECT?

WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING, WE WANT ALL NEIGHBORS TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE, AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY THEY LOVE.

YOU WANT TO PUT ME IN ANY BOX, BUT ME ABOUT THE WORK.

>> ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC-SOCIALIST OF AMERICA?

>> YES.

>> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I GOT THAT IN.

WHAT IS THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU WILL FILE IT ELECTED?

>> THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS MOVE MUNICIPAL FUNDS, AND BY POLICY EXPERTS, HOUSING EXPERTS INTO MY OFFICE TO HELP ME WRITE LEGISLATION THAT USES MUNICIPAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE RUNDOWN HOUSES, ABANDONED HOUSES, AND SLUMLORD HOUSES AND DEVELOP THEM FOR FAMILIES.

I WANT TO GET PROJECT MANAGERS ON THESE PROJECTS TO USE SMALLER DEVELOPERS, LOCAL DEVELOPERS, LOCAL LABOR, RIGHT?

PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT ARE RIGHT NOW NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE REAL ESTATE GAME BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER MARGINS, ACTUALLY USE MUNICIPAL FUNDS TO SUBSIDIZE THAT AND GET LOCAL DEVELOPERS IN ON THIS SO WE CAN HAVE UNITS THAT ARE 300,000, FOUR $100,000, $500,000, BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP FAMILIES IN THE CITY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LOVE A CHANCE TO BUY AT THAT PRICE.

I WANT TO ASK ABOUT A COUPLE VOTES THE COUNCIL HAS TAKEN RECENTLY.

THEY VOTED RECENTLY TO CHANGE THE NAME OF FANEUIL HALL GIVEN PETER FANEUIL'’S HISTORY AS AN OWNER OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE, SOMEONE WHO TRAFFIC IN ENSLAVED PEOPLE.

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED?

>> I WOULD HAVE VOTED YES, AND ONCE AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN ARGUMENT USED DIVIDE US, BUT I WOULD HAVE VOTED YES.

>> THEY ALSO VOTED TO BACK THE MAYOR'’S PLAN TO SWEEP TENSE.

>> IT IS A PUNITIVE MOVE.

IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH AND DON'’T FEEL SAFE.

THEY HAVE SEEN PEOPLE SITTING ON THE STOOP, KIDS ARE PICKING UP NEEDLES, BUT THE ONLY THING THAT IT WOULD HAVE ADDED IS THAT WE NEED TO START HIRING HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS A YEAR TO MITIGATE OUR HOMELESS FACTOR.

YOU DON'’T END UP ON THE STREETS FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY.

THIS IS YEARS AND YEARS OF FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS, FAILING IN OUR SCHOOLS, SUFFERING WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR DEPRESSION OR FOOD LOSS OR FALLING BEHIND ON YOUR EVENT, RIGHT?

WE DON'’T HAVE A SYSTEM, A SOCIAL STRUCTURE TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE STREET.

IF YOU SIMPLY CLEAR THE TENTS, THEY WILL COME BACK OR MOVE TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE'’S PROBLEM.

AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS HAPPENING, BUT WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT HOW WE GOT HERE.

WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT DOWNRIVER HOW TO SOLVE IT RIGHT NOW.

LET'’S GO UP RIVER AND SEE HOW WE CAN PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM GROWING AND EVEN SHRINK THE PROBLEM OVER TIME.

THERE'’S NO QUICK ANSWER TO THIS.

>> I LIKE THE IDEA OF REVENGE OF CARE A LOT, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD IT MANY OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT COME FROM BOSTON.

HOW MUCH OF A HELP WOULD IT BE TO CREATE A SURGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE CITY IF A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONGREGATING THERE FROM OTHER PLACES?

>> WE DO NEED DECENTRALIZED SERVICES, RIGHT?

BUT IF YOU DON'’T START HIRING THE SOCIAL WORKERS, WE CAN NEVER HAVE DECENTRALIZED SERVICES.

I FEEL LIKE IF BOSTON STARTS DOING THIS AND SETS THE TREND OF HIRING HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, I THINK OTHER CITIES WILL DO THAT.

I THINK THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH WILL GET IN BECAUSE SOCIAL WORKERS TO GET RESULTS.

I FOUGHT FOR SIX YEARS TO GET A SOCIAL WORKER IN EVERY SCHOOL IN BOSTON AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, AND THE CHANGE IS MONUMENTAL.

THIS IS A HUGE MOVE IN A SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND SO WE ACTUALLY START HIRING THE SOCIAL WORKERS, WE WILL MITIGATE THE FACTOR, AND THEY ARE COMING ANYWAYS, SO TO SAY WE SHOULD NOT DO THIS DOES NOT REALLY MAKE SENSE.

>> TWO SUPERQUICK QUESTIONS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS JUST PROPOSED MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOU AS A POLITY STEW TAX HIGH-END REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT IN BOSTON?

>> YES.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND 20 SECONDS.

YOU ARE A PASTOR, AND I'’M CURIOUS, IN THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT, HOW DOES YOUR FAITH INFORM YOUR APPROACH TO POLITICS?

>> VERY MUCH BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT THE WORK.

THE BIBLE SAYS HARVESTERS ARE PLENTY AND WORKERS ARE FEW.

GOAL -- GOD CALLS FOR US TO MAKE A LIFE FOR EVERYONE AROUND YOU THAT HIS FOOD TO BE THE BEST PERSON THEY ARE.

I WANT TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR.

I WANT TO BUILD NEW SCHOOLS ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN.

I WANT TO HIRE HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS SO PEOPLE GET THE LOVE AND CARE THEY DESERVE.

I WANT TO ACTUALLY GET HOUSING THAT MIDDLE INCOME AND LABORERS CAN AFFORD.

PEOPLE WHO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY.

THESE ARE PERSONAL ISSUES TO ME.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW CLEANS BANKS EVERY NIGHT TO AFFORD RENT BECAUSE HER LANDLORD JACKET UP.

SHE STAYS IN THE CITY TO HELP RAISE HER GRANDKIDS, AND THAT IS NOT FAIR TO HER TO HAVE TO PAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE RENT WAS PROBABLY $950 TWO YEARS AGO AND NOW IT IS ALMOST $3000.

>> JOEL RICHARDS, THANK YOU.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK IN THE HOME STRETCH OF THE CAMPAIGN.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> FINALLY TONIGHT, JOEL RICHARDS'’ OPPONENT FOR THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL'’S THIRD DISTRICT SEAT, JOHN FITZGERALD, THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NOW DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS FOR THE BOSTON FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU ARE RUNNING TO REPLACE FRANK BAKER, WHO I THINK OF AS ONE OF THE MORE STAUNCHLY CONSERVATIVE VOICES ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

YOU ARE RUNNING WITH HIS BACKING.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IDEOLOGICALLY?

>> HONESTLY, I PREFER TO STAY AWAY FROM IDEOLOGICAL FORMS, BUT WHEN I WAS OUT KNOCKING DOORS, PEOPLE WOULD SAY, ARE YOU LIKE FRANK?

DO YOU ALIGN WITH FRANK?

>> THAT'’S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ASK.

>> DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SOME WOULD SAY YES, SOME WITH THICK -- SOME WANT YOU TO SAY YES, SOME WANT YOU TO SAY NO.

NOBODY IS FRANK.

WE SHARE SOME SET OF VALUES.

I THINK THAT I'’M GOING TO GO IN THERE AND BE MY OWN PERSON.

I HAVE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS, LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TEMPERAMENT THAN COUNCILMAN BAKER PROBABLY HAD, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WILL STICK.

IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT CONSERVATIVE OR PROGRESSIVE, I CATEGORIZE IT AS COMMON SENSE.

>> COULD YOU GIVE ME A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES?

YOU MENTIONED THERE WERE A COURT OF THINGS THAT WOULD PROBABLY STICK.

>> I SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS.

POLICE, FIRE, EMT'’S.

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THEY WILL BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE TRAINED APPROPRIATELY, RECRUITED APPROPRIATELY, AND THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE NATION NOW, BUT THERE'’S NO REASON WE CANNOT GET BETTER.

>> YOU ARE, AS WE MENTIONED, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS AT THE DPA.

THE MAYOR WAS LOOKING TO ABOLISH IT BUT NOW IS TRYING TO REFORM IT.

SHE HAS SAID SHE WANTS IT TO FOCUS ON RESILIENCE, AFFORDABILITY, AND EQUITY.

THOSE ARE THE THREE LOAD STONES, TOUCHSTONES.

IS THAT THE RIGHT VISION, DO YOU THINK?

>> SURE.

I THINK THOSE ARE ADMIRABLE GOALS, AND AS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE ENTIRE REGION, I THINK THAT IS A WORTHWHILE CAUSE.

I KIND OF STRAY AWAY BECAUSE I'’M STILL CURRENTLY WORKING AT THE BE PDA, SO I TEND TO SORT OF PLEAD THE FIFTH ON THOSE FOR NOW BECAUSE IF I DO NOT WIN THIS RACE AND HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK , I STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY, SO I APOLOGIZE, BUT I SORT OF JUST DON'’T GO INTO ANYTHING THERE.

I THINK WE CAN DO THEM, AND I DON'’T NECESSARILY THINK THE CITY HAS TO BE REFORMED OR ABOLISHED IN ANY WAY, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK FOR REFORM.

>> IF ELECTED, WHAT IS THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE GOING TO FILE?

>> I HAVE GOTTEN THIS QUESTION A LOT, AND I SAY IS IT'’S A SELFISH RESPONSE, AND IT IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ALL OF DORCHESTER YOUTH SPORTS -- AS A FATHER AND THREE, WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THE SCHEDULE FOR EVERY UPCOMING SPORT SEASON, AND THE SIGN-UPS ARE AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE FIELDS ARE DIFFERENT AND YOU DON'’T KNOW WHEN PRACTICES ARE YET, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY THE DUES, AND SUDDENLY THE KID DOESN'’T WANT TO PLAY SOCCER BUT LACROSSE IS AT THE SAME TIME -- I WOULD LIKE TO GET ALL OF DORCHESTER YOUTH SPORTS TOGETHER, ALIGN IT UNDER ONE WEBSITE WHERE IT CAN BE STREAMLINED INTO FOCUSING WHERE YOU CAN VERY INTUITIVELY PICK WHERE YOU WANT AND PICK YOUR SCHEDULE BECAUSE WITH THE AMOUNT OF KIDS SPORTS THAT GO ON, GOING THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE, I WOULD LOVE TO STREAMLINE THAT.

>> IT IS AN INTENSE EXPERIENCE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF RECENT COUNCIL VOTES.

THE COUNCIL JUST BACK CHANGING THE NAME OF FANEUIL HALL.

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED?

>> THE VOTE WAS SHOULD WE TAKE UP A COMMUNITY TO STUDY THE NAME CHANGE?

SURE.

>> IT IS A BOUT SAYING WE THINK IT SHOULD BE CHANGED.

>> YET, AND I'’M NOT SURE THE CITY HAS THE POWER TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THE NAME ITSELF, RIGHT?

BUT I THINK IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT WHO MR. FANEUIL WAS, WHAT HE DID, AND WHO WE ARE NAMING THINGS AFTER, WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO REWRITE HISTORY HERE, RIGHT?

THERE ARE THINGS FOLKS ARE ASHAMED OF AND THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

IT WAS A WAY OF LIFE BACK THEN, SO YOU DON'’T WANT TO DISCOURAGE OR REWRITE IT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHO WE ARE NAMING THESE THINGS AFTER.

A COMMUNITY TO -- A COMMITTEE TO STUDY IT?

SURE, WE CAN TAKE THAT ON.

>> IT WAS JUST A VOTE ON SHOULD WE CHANGE THE NAME AND TIN COUNSELORS SAID WE SHOULD.

THREE SAID WE SHOULD NOT.

WHERE WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED?

>> HONESTLY, FANEUIL HALL IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.

IT COULD BE REBRANDED IN ITSELF ANYWAY'’S -- ANYWAY, SO I THINK IS A PRETTY GOOD STEP.

>> YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED WITH THE 10.

OK. ALSO, THE COUNSELOR JUST APPROVED A NEW PLAN.

>> THIS IS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IS IT THE SILVER BULLET SOLUTION?

NO.

THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO AND A LOT WE HAVE TO DO, BUT THE FIRST THINGS IN THE ORDINANCES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS IN ADDITION TO THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS VOTED ON ON WEDNESDAY, IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE NEED A LOT MORE.

>> GOVERNOR HEALY, AS YOU KNOW, UNVEILED A GREAT BIG HOUSING PLAN.

SHE WANTS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR MUNICIPALITIES IN BOSTON TO TAX HIGH-END REAL ESTATE TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA FOR BOSTON?

>> IT DEPENDS WHAT THE THRESHOLD IS.

WITH THE CUSTOM HOMES TOPPING $1 MILLION MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IN ORDER TO -- THE MORE FAMILIES LIVING HERE NOW TO HAVE TO TAKE ON THAT TAX WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH, RIGHT?

FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR THEIR KIDS.

I THINK $1 MILLION ALMOST INCLUDES TOO MANY PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT THAT HOUSE AT WHATEVER TIME THEY BOUGHT THEIR HOUSE AT THE COST IT WAS THEN, BUT YOU DON'’T WANT TO HURT ANYONE FOR MAKING A POSITIVE INVESTMENT, IF IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO OR 50 YEARS AGO, SO IT DEPENDS WHAT THE THRESHOLD IS, BUT I THINK $1 MILLION RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE TOO LOW.

>> DO YOU HAVE A SENSE FOR THE CITY OF WHAT AN APPROPRIATE THRESHOLD WOULD BE?

1.5 ONE MILLION DOLLARS, 2 MILLION DOLLARS?

>> HAVE NOT STUDIED THE NUMBERS AS MUCH, BUT I WOULD SAY PROBABLY $2 MILLION.

>> LAST QUESTION.

WE HAVE ABOUT 50 SECONDS LEFT.

YOU ARE GETTING ENTHUSIASTIC BACKING FROM FORMER MAYOR MARTY WALSH.

HOW CLOSELY IS HE WORKING WITH YOU AND OFFERING GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE AS YOU SEEK THIS JOB?

>> HE HAS OFFERED TO SAY, CALL ME WHEN YOU NEED ME.

I HAVE TRIED NOT TO BOTHER HIM.

HE IS A BUSY MAN.

I SAY THAT GUY HAS PROBABLY GOT ENOUGH GOING ON.

I DON'’T HAVE TO BOTHER HIM WITH THIS CITY COUNCIL RACE IN BOSTON.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, MORAL SUPPORT.

>> I SHOULD MENTION HE AND YOUR FATHER WERE CLOSE.

>> THEY SHARED AN OFFICE FOR SOME TIME, WHEN HE FIRST CAME IN TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HE HAS LOOKED AFTER ME IN A WAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE, AS HE HAS DONE FOR COUNTLESS PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.

>> JOHN FITZGERALD, GOOD TO MEET YOU AND GOOD LUCK ON THE HOME STRETCH.

>> APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT DO COME BACK NEXT WEEK, AND PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.

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GOOD NIGHT.