Boston City Council Convenes for Major Session on Rent Control and White Stadium Costs

Busy Legislative Agenda Set for Wednesday Session

The Boston City Council is set to convene today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, for what is expected to be one of the most significant and packed sessions of the young legislative year. With over 120 dockets on the agenda, councilors are prepared to tackle a wide range of issues spanning housing policy, public safety funding, and municipal transparency.

Focus on Rent Control and Housing

One of the most anticipated items today is Docket #0224, a resolution introduced by Councilor-at-Large Henry Santana. The resolution expresses formal council support for a 2026 statewide rent stabilization ballot question. This measure has become a focal point of debate in the city, especially following previous discussions regarding the best path for local versus state-mandated housing protections. The council’s stance today is viewed as a critical signal to state legislators and advocacy groups regarding the city's official position on the matter.

Funding for Schools and Firefighters

Mayor Michelle Wu has submitted several major financial orders for the council’s consideration today. Most notably, Dockets #0124 and #0125 request a supplemental appropriation of over $18 million to cover the costs of a new collective bargaining agreement with Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718. The proposed contracts cover a period through June 2028 and include base wage increases.

Additionally, the council will weigh a request to shift over $1.3 million from the collective bargaining reserve to the Boston Public Schools (BPS) to fund salary increases for administrators. This comes as Councilor Erin Murphy has filed a separate hearing order, Docket #0128, to investigate a recent deficit-induced hiring and spending freeze within the BPS system, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding school department management.

White Stadium and Municipal Oversight

The future of White Stadium remains a hot-button issue, with two specific items on today's agenda. Councilor Ben Weber has filed a hearing order to audit the projected costs of the stadium's renovation to ensure the project remains viable within the city's upcoming capital budget. Simultaneously, an ordinance is under consideration to establish a formal White Stadium Oversight Committee to ensure community engagement and transparency as the project moves forward.

Environmental and Neighborhood Notices

Beyond City Hall, the Boston Conservation Commission will hold a virtual public hearing at 6:00 p.m. this evening. The commission will review several wetland protection projects to ensure environmental standards are met for upcoming developments across the city.

Finally, residents are reminded that the 48-hour window for space savers ends tonight. Per city policy, all space savers must be removed from city streets by 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Public Works crews are scheduled to begin collecting and discarding any remaining markers starting tonight to restore normal parking and street cleaning operations.