SPOA Housing Policy Series, Episode 22: Anne Brensley Lt. Governor Forum
We are pleased to release Episode 22 of SPOA Housing Policy Series, which is called "Anne Brensley Lt. Governor Forum."
We speak with Anne Brensley, who is running for Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor. A small property owner, Anne is a selectwoman from Wayland with a background in business and real estate. Per Contrarian Boston, if elected in November, Anne will likely be the first person to hold the office who knows what it's like to receive a call from her tenants on a cold winter day complaining that the heat has gone out.
The conversation centers on Anne's views about rising expenses for property owners struggling with higher operating costs and tenants struggling with higher rents. We discuss the impacts of rent control, tenant right of first refusal (also known as the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA), energy policy, and transparency in government, among other issues. We also discuss the state's funding of an extremist group that directed hate speech against property owners and others using taxpayer money. We additionally cover the need for more housing supply, as well as increased competition, to reduce prices and alleviate a struggling economic environment. The need to include and collaborate with small property owners, who provide most of the rental housing in Massaschusetts, is emphasized.
Anne answers questions sent from SPOA members and our panel, including news reporter Scott Van Voorhis, who edits the independent newspaper Contrarian Boston, and SPOA Vice President Tony Lopes.
SPOA 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 Ms. Brensley'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 lieutenant 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.
You can see the video in the link below.
