• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

‘DOLLAR’ BILL LINEHAN AND THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL DEFEND $25K PAY RAISE PROPOSAL

Written by CHRIS FARAONE Posted September 29, 2014 Filed Under: News, NEWS+OPINIONS

MONEY-TOP

Within minutes of commencing today’s hearing on a potential salary hike for its members, the Boston City Council hinted at how awkward if not comical such personal proceedings would inevitably be. At the suggestion of Council President Bill Linehan, who proposed the $25,000 pay raise, all members were asked to raise their right hand in acknowledgment that their individual financial interests were at stake. As if anybody needs to be reminded.

 

Following that bold reassurance, Linehan proceeded to list reasons why councilors deserve $112,500 a year. First there’s the fact they haven’t had a raise since 2006. If that’s not enough, Linehan offered comparisons to Philadelphia and Chicago, two political establishments we should always strive to emulate. You almost have to respect the shamelessness of the South Boston councilor, who is either adequately full of shit or legitimately confident enough in his job performance to spearhead such a garish campaign. Doing his best Sally Struthers schtick, he even noted how the cost of feeding the council is currently as miniscule as $9 for every Bostonian.

 

It’s not surprising that some harder-working members who may actually deserve a raise stood up against one, or at least avoided embarrassing themselves like Linehan. Councilor-At-Large Ayanna Pressley said the proposed dollar amount was “too high,” as did Councilor Michelle Wu, who raised important questions about when such hikes would take hold, and how the body’s actions could affect raises in the future. Longtime Mattapan Councilor Charles Yancey simply acknowledged that salary hikes are “by far the most difficult and awkward vote we are asked to take.”

 

In his turn, Dorchester Councilor Frank Baker took one for the team. “I’m a yes vote,” he said, “because I know what I do every day.” According to Baker, the only folks complaining about him potentially pocketing 30 percent more money are “people hiding behind screen names” and trolls on conservative radio who “live 50 miles outside of the city.” Not to be outdone, 18-year Councilor Steve Murphy made Baker sound modest. The city, he reminded his colleagues, “doesn’t run without our input.” Noting “all due respect to the media,” which has largely mocked the pay proposal, Murphy then went on to illustrate the comic book version of Boston, in which caped heroic councilors routinely swoop in to save the day.

 

To his credit, first-term Councilor Josh Zakim acknowledged that his year in office hasn’t warranted such riches, while Allston-Brighton Councilor Mark Ciommo joined the “how great it is that we get to address this issue” chorus. When they finished volleying that Oscar Meyer stick, the floor opened to invited city attorneys versed on salaries and labor relations. In order to understand what happened from that point on, you would need a law degree that costs approximately what Linehan thinks councilors should take home annually.

 

While it’s encouraging that there’s excitement for the chance to hammer out this complicated issue once and for all, the joke is that the membership could cut through all the nonsense and embarrassment with ease. All they need to do is relinquish any power over their own purse. Bam! No more conflicts of interest, no more reporters and the public thinking they’re a bunch of spoiled bureaucratic brats (well, not on this issue at least). I’m not sure it was necessary for the council to play inside baseball with the city’s law department over such a ludicrous matter, but in the midst of so much legalese, one expert did manage to note the most important point of all: “Most employees,” he said, “don’t set their own salaries.”


FURTHER READING

CULTURE OF INTERRUPTION: A BELATED MID-TERM REPORT CARD FOR THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL

CITY HALL SPECIAL: HOW’S THE CURRENT COUNCIL CROP DOING SO FAR?

ON ANNIVERSARY OF COURT-ORDERED BUSING, BOSTONIANS ACKNOWLEDGE BRUTAL HISTORY

BOSTON COUNCILORS EQUATE POT DISPENSARIES TO METHADONE CLINICS, AND WORSE!!!


 

CHRIS FARAONE

A Queens, NY native who came to New England in 2004 to earn his MA in journalism at Boston University, Chris Faraone is the editor and co-publisher of DigBoston and a co-founder of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. He has published several books including 99 Nights with the 99 Percent, and has written liner notes for hip-hop gods including Cypress Hill, Pete Rock, Nas, and various members of the Wu-Tang Clan.

More from author
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    VIDEO: NIGHT SHIFT’S TEA PARTY IS SUBTLE LOVE FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE MOST HARD TEAS
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    VIDEO: NEW MASS HOUSE SPEAKER REPS DOLLARS, NOT CHANGE ON BEACON HILL
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    DEAR READER: DIGBOSTON PUSHES FORWARD INTO 2021

Filed Under: News, NEWS+OPINIONS Tagged With: Ayanna Pressley, Bill Linehan, Boston City Council, Charles Yancey, Frank Baker, Mark Ciommon, Matt O'Malley, Michael Flaherty, michelle wu, pay hikes, pay raise, Stephen Murphy, tim mccarthy, Tito Jackson

WHAT’S NEW

WU ASSERTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN HER CAMPAIGN

WU ASSERTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN HER CAMPAIGN

STREET MEDICS BOLSTER PROTESTS IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU MAY REALIZE

STREET MEDICS BOLSTER PROTESTS IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU MAY REALIZE

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi. NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM by MATTHEW ANDREWS
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS by SARAH BETANCOURT
  • IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO A HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP https://digboston.com/no-justice-how-officials-in-one-mass-town-took-extraordinary-measures-to-appease-a-controversial-cop/ #ArlingtonMA #police #reform #cop #racism #controversy #BlackLivesMatter #Massachusetts
Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for host Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for hosts, servers, bartenders, bussers … What happens to those #jobs if virtual kitchens continue to flourish? https://digboston.com/ghost-story-virtual-kitchens-appear-to-be-the-next-big-thing-but-at-what-cost/ #restaurant #labor #work #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
“I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan “I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan. 7 in the same country we went to bed in on the 6th.” https://digboston.com/former-mass-gubernatorial-candidate-predicted-violence-before-assault-on-capitol/ #politics #Massachusetts #national #Capitol #WashingtonDC #MAGA
RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL http RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL https://digboston.com/radical-and-relevant-the-life-of-harry-brill/ #obituary #organizer #radical #sociologist #democracy #politics @UMassBoston @BklynCollege411 @UCBerkeley #Boston #Massachusetts #NewYorkCity #Berkeley #California
NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON CO NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM https://digboston.com/no-honeymoon-for-biden-1-20-protest-on-boston-common-4-pm/ #opinion #progressive #left #action #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Jostling for position and influence are the disadv Jostling for position and influence are the disadvantaged candidates, existing industry participants, and municipalities … https://digboston.com/the-road-to-home-delivery-pt-5-dogs-in-the-fight-identifying-the-players/ #cannabis #politics #analysis #Massachusetts
The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Participants took to the streets in the hope of sw Participants took to the streets in the hope of swaying the Biden administration. https://digboston.com/on-national-day-of-action-protesters-call-for-eviction-moratorium/ #housing #justice #protest #national #Boston #Massachusetts
“They refuse to respond to this humanitarian cri “They refuse to respond to this humanitarian crisis where people really need them. We’re just ignoring this problem and it’s getting worse and worse.” https://digboston.com/its-harder-than-ever-to-find-a-bathroom-in-boston-whats-the-city-doing-about-it/ #politics #unhoused #homeless #bathroom #public #health #Boston #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]