Bill Linehan

William P. Linehan is a former member and president of the Boston City Council in Boston, Massachusetts.[1] He represented District 2, which includes Downtown Boston, the South End, South Boston and Chinatown.

Bill Linehan
Linehan in 2014
President of the Boston City Council
In office
January 2014 – January 2016
Vice PresidentMark Ciommo
Preceded byStephen J. Murphy
Succeeded byMichelle Wu
Member of the Boston City Council
from District 2
In office
2007 – October 18, 2017
Preceded byJames Kelly
Succeeded byEd Flynn
Personal details
BornSouth Boston, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
ResidenceSouth Boston, Boston

Early life

Linehan was born in Boston and is the oldest of eight children. He has been active in politics since his teenage years.[2] He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Boston.[2]

Early career

Before his election to the City Council, Linehan served as the Director of Operations for the City of Boston's Parks Department and later as the Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of the City of Boston for six years.[2]

Boston City Council

Linehan was first elected to the City Council via a special election in May 2007, following the death of Councillor James M. Kelly. Linehan was reelected five times, until announcing in February 2017 that he would not run in the November 2017 election.[3] Linehan was president of the City Council in 2014 and 2015.

Linehan's district included Downtown Boston, the South End, South Boston and Chinatown.[2][4] In both his 2011 and 2013 elections, Linehan only narrowly defeated challenges from Suzanne Lee. These races against a female Asian American challenger from the Chinatown portion of his district were described by Benjamin Swasey of WBUR as having been viewed as contests pitting, "'old Boston' politics against a new, more diverse brand" as well as races that were, "representative of changes in the district itself."[5][6]

Linehan faced criticism a proposal he made in his role in chairing the post-2010 United States Census redistricting process to divide Chinatown between two separate City Council electoral districts. He was accused by critics of attempting to help his own electoral fortunes in his influence on the process. His proposal would have removed from his district two Chinatown districts that had voted strongly against him in his elections.[6][7] The map that Linehan proposed was adopted by the City Council, but vetoed by Mayor Thomas Menino.[8] After a failed second attempt, the City Council later approved a third map with amendments by City Councilor Tito Jackson, which Mayor Menino approved.[9][10]

In 2013, Linehan proposed a home rule petition that would have seen Boston ask the state legislature to allow it to impose a 6.25% sales tax on alcoholic beverage purchases at stores with licenses permitting "off-premise" consumption of alcohol sold. He argued that such a tax could fund programs to combat substance abuse.[11] Also in 2013, Linehan proposed legislation to raise the citation given for public smoking of cannabis in city parks to $200.[12] In December of that year, Linehan was the only member of the Boston City Council to vote against advancing a home rule petition authored by Councilor Ayanna Pressley requesting that the state cede its control over the number of liquor licenses in Boston to the Boston Licensing Board.[13]

In 2013, Linehan was one of five Boston city councilors that voted against a successful City Council rule change that effectively allowed for the City Council to effectively discharge from committee a bill that was being stalled in committee.[8]

In 2014, Linehan was elected by his fellow councilors to serve as Boston City Council president during his fifth term. At the time, Linehan was regarded to be the council's most conservative member.[14] Linehan was regarded as representative of "old Boston" politics.[5]

In 2014, Linehan and fellow city councilor Stephen J. Murphy authored an ordinance that would have significantly increase the salaries and pensions of members of the Boston City Council.[15][16] Also in 2014, Linehan championed a proposal to rename South Boston's Branch Library for former Massachusetts Senate President William M. Bulger.[17] Linehan also advocated for increased scrutiny and regulation of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft.[18]

On October 18, 2017, Linehan made the surprise move of immediately retiring from the council two months before his term had been set to expire. He endorsed Ed Flynn's campaign to be elected his successor.[19][20]

Personal life

Linehan and his wife, Judy, have four children and six grandchildren.[2]

Electoral history
2007 Boston City Council 2nd district special election
Candidates Primary[21] General election[22]
Votes % Votes %
Bill Linehan 1,834 23.68% 4,771 52.58%
Susan M. Passoni 1,870 24.14% 4,217 46.48%
Edward M. Flynn 1,741 22.48% 52† 0.57%
Robert O'Shea 831 10.73%  
Brian R. Mahoney 549 7.09%  
Mary Cooney 529 6.83%  
Bob Ferrara 384 4.96%  
all others (write-in) 7 0.09% 33 0.36%
Total 7,745 100% 9,073 100%

† write-in votes

2007 Boston City Council 2nd district election
Candidates General election[23]
Votes %
Bill Linehan (incumbent) 3,916 95.68%
all others (write-in) 177 4.32%
Total 4,093 100%
2009 Boston City Council 2nd district election
Candidates General election[24]
Votes %
Bill Linehan 9278 95.68%
all others (write-in) 252 4.32%
Total 9,530 100%
2011 Boston City Council 2nd district election
Candidates Primary[25] General election[26]
Votes % Votes %
Bill Linehan 2,334 35.02% 5,078 50.28%
Suzanne Lee 2,608 39.14% 4,981 49.32%
Bob Ferrara 1,689 25.35%
all others (write-in) 33 0.50% 41 0.41%
Total 6,631 100% 10,100 100%
2013 Boston City Council 2nd district election
Candidates General election[27]
Votes %
Bill Linehan 9322 52.88%
Suzanne Lee 8250 46.80%
all others (write-in) 58 0.33%
Total 17,630 100%
2015 Boston City Council 2nd district election
Candidates General Election[28]
Votes %
Bill Linehan 3594 89.25%
Suzanne Lee (write-in) 26† 0.65%
all others (write-in) 407 10.11%
Total 4,027 100%

References
  1. Encarnacao, Jack (2016-01-05). "Michelle Wu takes reins as Boston City Council president". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  2. "Bio: Bill Linehan", City of Boston. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  3. Irons, Meghan E. (February 15, 2017). "Linehan says he will not seek re-election". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  4. http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/1a9ab4d2-3ee2-4926-b4de-44666191b715/
  5. Swasey, Benjamin (February 16, 2017). "Boston Councilor Linehan Won't Seek 6th Term". www.wbur.org. WBUR. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. Irons, Meghan E. (November 29, 2011). "Linehan stands by his council redistricting plan - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  7. Bernstein, David S. (28 June 2013). "Boston City Council Candidate Chat: Bill Linehan". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  8. Bernstein, David S. (21 September 2013). "Boston Mayoral Candidates and Their Council Votes". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  9. Dumcius, Gintautas (October 31, 2012). "Council approves third redistricting map with 11-2 vote | Dorchester Reporter". www.dotnews.com. Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  10. Conti, Matt (November 10, 2012). "New City Council Redistricting Map Impacts North End / Waterfront; Downtown & Wharf District Joins Southie – NorthEndWaterfront.com". northendwaterfront.com. North End Waterfront. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  11. Annear, Steve (17 September 2013). "City Councilor Bill Linehan Wants to Add Tax to Alcohol Purchases". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. Annear, Steve (13 September 2013). "Boston HempFest 2013: MassCann Rally Will Roll Forward For Two Days". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. Annear, Steve (18 December 2013). "Boston Could Soon Do Away With Liquor License Cap". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  14. Kim, Young Jin. "Michelle Wu, Boston Official, Marches Toward a 'New Boston'". NBC News. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  15. Bernstein, David S. (9 October 2014). "The Bill Linehan and Steve Murphy Pension-Padding Act of 2014". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  16. Ryan, Drew (October 20, 2014). "City Council raises would substantially increase pensions - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  17. Fox, Jeremy. "Trying to put a tribute to William Bulger in the books". www.bostonglobe.com. The Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  18. Annear, Steve (29 July 2014). "City Official Wants to Talk About Regulating Uber in Boston". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  19. Valencia, Milton (October 18, 2017). "Bill Linehan to leave City Council two months early - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  20. Daniel, Seth; Treffeisen, Beth (October 21, 2017). "Councilor Linehan Quits Council Abruptly,Endorses Ed Flynn – The Boston Sun". thebostonsun.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  21. "CITY OF BOSTON SPECIAL PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION - APRIL 17, 2007 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  22. "CITY OF BOSTON SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - MAY 15, 2007 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  23. "CITY OF BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 6, 2009 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  24. "CITY OF BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3, 2007 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  25. "Preliminary Municipal Election - City Councillor District 2" (PDF). City of Boston.gov. City of Boston. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  26. "Municipal Election - City Councillor District 2" (PDF). City of Boston.gov. City of Boston. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  27. "CITY OF BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 5, 2013 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  28. "CITY OF BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3, 2015 CITY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT 2" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2018.

Further reading
  • Bernstein, David S. (June 28, 2013). "Candidate Chat: Bill Linehan". Boston. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  • "Linehan: What the F?", Commonwealth Magazine, September 2014, archived from the original on 2014-10-06
  • "Linehan's name game". The Boston Globe. November 22, 2014.
  • Irons, Meghan E. and Ryan, Andrew. "Council head now says raise can wait: Before expected vote, Linehan cites ethics panel advice". The Boston Globe. October 7, 2014.
  • Ryan, Andrew. "Linehan proposes 29% raise for City Council". The Boston Globe. September 16, 2014.
  • "Linehan stirs up resentments with proposal to honor Bulger". The Boston Globe. August 15, 2014.
  • Baker, Billy. "Linehan to skip St. Patrick's parade: City Council leader invited to Ireland". The Boston Globe. February 13, 2014.
  • Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan elected council president". The Boston Globe. January 7, 2014.
  • Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan poised to take council reins: Appears to have secured backers". The Boston Globe. December 10, 2013.
  • Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan, Lee: The rematch: Incumbent city councilor talks up his accomplishments as a 'persistent' rival aims to finish what she began 2 years ago". The Boston Globe. October 24, 2013.
  • Irons, Meghan E. "Councilor Bill Linehan pulls out of District 2 debate". The Boston Globe. October 24, 2013.
  • "Linehan's total isolation", Commonwealth Magazine, October 2013, archived from the original on 2014-10-06, retrieved 2014-10-04
  • Ryan, Andrew. "Song in back pocket, Linehan steps up: Councilor warily prepares for a St. Patrick's Day tradition in Boston". The Boston Globe. March 16, 2013.
  • Cassidy, Chris. "Linehan sings praises for St. Pat's Day fest". McClatchy - Tribune Business News . February 17, 2013.
  • Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan stands by his council redistricting plan". The Boston Globe. November 29, 2011.
  • MacQuarrie, Brian. "Linehan keeps District 2 seat in recount: But councilor's redistricting plan draws fire". The Boston Globe. November 24, 2011.
  • Wedge, Dave. "Bill Linehan, recount behind him, vows more focus on schools". McClatchy - Tribune Business News . November 24, 2011.
  • Ryan, Andrew. "Linehan is facing his first challenge". The Boston Globe. September 26, 2011.
  • Van Sack, Jessica. "Southie reigns supreme ; Linehan captures Kelly seat". Boston Herald. May 16, 2007.
  • Matt Viser. Shoe leather makes it a race. Boston Globe, May 12, 2007
  • Slack, Donovan. "Passoni, Linehan reshift focus - Begin groundwork for council seat". The Boston Globe. April 19, 2007.
  • Slack, Donovan. "Passoni, Linehan top race for council". The Boston Globe. April 18, 2007.
  • Johnson, O'Ryan. "Passoni, Linehan to battle for council seat". Boston Herald. April 18, 2007.
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