Jess Sheehan
@jfsheehan.bsky.social
Roslindale to Cambridge. I'll probably talk most about local politics and housing policy. Also into space stuff. Very bad Learned League player.
Boston and everywhere else inside 128 need to step it up fast.
Blue states and cities are lifeboats now for so many people. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and our fellow Americans to build many more seats.
commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/bost...
Blue states and cities are lifeboats now for so many people. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and our fellow Americans to build many more seats.
commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/bost...
Boston’s broken land use system blocks the homes we desperately need - CommonWealth Beacon
Rather than reflecting some sort of democratic ideal of local control, Boston’s process empowers those who already have housing to block housing for those who do not.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 11, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Boston and everywhere else inside 128 need to step it up fast.
Blue states and cities are lifeboats now for so many people. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and our fellow Americans to build many more seats.
commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/bost...
Blue states and cities are lifeboats now for so many people. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and our fellow Americans to build many more seats.
commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/bost...
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
I’m excited to announce today that I am running for State Representative for the 25th Middlesex District.
We need to have a state government that works for the many, not just the well connected few.
🧵
We need to have a state government that works for the many, not just the well connected few.
🧵
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I’m excited to announce today that I am running for State Representative for the 25th Middlesex District.
We need to have a state government that works for the many, not just the well connected few.
🧵
We need to have a state government that works for the many, not just the well connected few.
🧵
True in Cambridge too. Within my own lifetime - and I'm not yet 40 - $200k could buy you a house in Brookline or Cambridge. Now it's a down payment.
Anyone who dismisses the crisis by saying housing has always been expensive here isn't engaging with the numbers.
Anyone who dismisses the crisis by saying housing has always been expensive here isn't engaging with the numbers.
You probably know intuitively or anecdotally that it's expensive to buy a house in Brookline. But I think the numbers we dug up, based on the last 12 months of home and condo sale data, will still surprise.
brookline.news/600k-down-pa...
brookline.news/600k-down-pa...
$600k down payments and all-cash offers: How money up front rules Brookline's housing market - Brookline.News
New data collected by Brookline.News illustrate the steep cash-in-hand costs for prospective homebuyers in Brookline.
brookline.news
January 7, 2026 at 10:29 PM
True in Cambridge too. Within my own lifetime - and I'm not yet 40 - $200k could buy you a house in Brookline or Cambridge. Now it's a down payment.
Anyone who dismisses the crisis by saying housing has always been expensive here isn't engaging with the numbers.
Anyone who dismisses the crisis by saying housing has always been expensive here isn't engaging with the numbers.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
INBOX: Evan MacKay, who came close to knocking out Cambridge state Rep. Marjorie Decker in 2024, plans a rematch
Launches campaign Jan. 7
Launches campaign Jan. 7
January 6, 2026 at 5:36 PM
INBOX: Evan MacKay, who came close to knocking out Cambridge state Rep. Marjorie Decker in 2024, plans a rematch
Launches campaign Jan. 7
Launches campaign Jan. 7
It's worth mentioning how similar Berkeley, CA and Cambridge, MA are.
Both high income cities known for their in demand universities, left politics, and astronomically high housing costs. Both are majority renter and home to relatively young, diverse, and well-educated populations.
Both high income cities known for their in demand universities, left politics, and astronomically high housing costs. Both are majority renter and home to relatively young, diverse, and well-educated populations.
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
It's worth mentioning how similar Berkeley, CA and Cambridge, MA are.
Both high income cities known for their in demand universities, left politics, and astronomically high housing costs. Both are majority renter and home to relatively young, diverse, and well-educated populations.
Both high income cities known for their in demand universities, left politics, and astronomically high housing costs. Both are majority renter and home to relatively young, diverse, and well-educated populations.
To build on this, if people who like and trust their electeds tend not to call bc they assume the electeds don't need to hear from them, those electeds can get a warped idea of what their constituents think. Call tallies are unlikely to make anyone do a 180 but can matter a lot at the margins.
I’m represented in Congress by Ayanna Pressley, Elizabeth Warren, and Ed Markey. I just called and left voicemails with all of them not because I don’t think they’ll have the right opinion on this, but because I want them to know that *real* action from them and Congress is critical.
January 3, 2026 at 9:43 PM
To build on this, if people who like and trust their electeds tend not to call bc they assume the electeds don't need to hear from them, those electeds can get a warped idea of what their constituents think. Call tallies are unlikely to make anyone do a 180 but can matter a lot at the margins.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
It is not that hard to cook up violations of US law against corrupt dictators we don't like and get them past a grand jury. A federal indictment is nowhere close to enough to justify a US military invasion and orchestrated regime change, and we all need to say that together or it will be
January 3, 2026 at 7:53 PM
It is not that hard to cook up violations of US law against corrupt dictators we don't like and get them past a grand jury. A federal indictment is nowhere close to enough to justify a US military invasion and orchestrated regime change, and we all need to say that together or it will be
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
Mass signature requirements for ballot questions are far lower than CA—you only need 3% of midterm voters, vs 5/8% in CA.
With turnout in 2022 at only 50%, you only need signatures from ~1.5% of registered voters to get something on the ballot
This problem is going to get worse
With turnout in 2022 at only 50%, you only need signatures from ~1.5% of registered voters to get something on the ballot
This problem is going to get worse
Ask any current or former Californian whether an increasing number of ballot questions is good.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
MA is officially up to 9 ballot questions advancing to the next stage.
1 other question secured its spot already.
2 are still pending certification.
So wild that we could have 12 questions next year.
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/ne...
1 other question secured its spot already.
2 are still pending certification.
So wild that we could have 12 questions next year.
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/ne...
December 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Mass signature requirements for ballot questions are far lower than CA—you only need 3% of midterm voters, vs 5/8% in CA.
With turnout in 2022 at only 50%, you only need signatures from ~1.5% of registered voters to get something on the ballot
This problem is going to get worse
With turnout in 2022 at only 50%, you only need signatures from ~1.5% of registered voters to get something on the ballot
This problem is going to get worse
Ask any current or former Californian whether an increasing number of ballot questions is good.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
MA is officially up to 9 ballot questions advancing to the next stage.
1 other question secured its spot already.
2 are still pending certification.
So wild that we could have 12 questions next year.
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/ne...
1 other question secured its spot already.
2 are still pending certification.
So wild that we could have 12 questions next year.
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/ne...
www.sec.state.ma.us
December 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Ask any current or former Californian whether an increasing number of ballot questions is good.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
I agree with everyone saying this is an indictment of the MA legislature. We need legislators to be able to pass popular legislation again.
I met Julian Edelman at a restaurant in Central Sq after the parade for our 2017 SB comeback win over the Falcons. I got to shake his hand - he reached out with his left and I didn't think to match with my left so it was awkward. He made fun of my Welker jersey and I just giggled like an idiot.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I met Julian Edelman at a restaurant in Central Sq after the parade for our 2017 SB comeback win over the Falcons. I got to shake his hand - he reached out with his left and I didn't think to match with my left so it was awkward. He made fun of my Welker jersey and I just giggled like an idiot.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
Look, folks, it's absolutely natural cozy behavior for buildings to huddle together for warmth.
I photographed and offered my thoughts on a large house addition out in Fairfax County, Virginia, which for some reason has become a lightning rod in a way that countless other McMansion buildings and old-house teardowns never do
The Big House That Might Not Be Able To
A home expansion in Fairfax County tests the limits of single-family zoning
www.thedeletedscenes.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Look, folks, it's absolutely natural cozy behavior for buildings to huddle together for warmth.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
Merry Christmas to those who like being wished Merry Christmas and have a very nice Thursday to those who do not
December 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Merry Christmas to those who like being wished Merry Christmas and have a very nice Thursday to those who do not
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
Gen X and Millennials are uniquely prepared for this.
Bringing back Limewire to illegally rip copies of reporting suppressed by the government is definitely some cyberpunk shit
December 23, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Gen X and Millennials are uniquely prepared for this.
This is great news. The full report also shows a net increase in each neighborhood, and areas of the city with the least existing canopy had the largest percentage increase.
While that makes obvious statistical sense, it was not inevitable that those areas *would* enjoy a net gain.
While that makes obvious statistical sense, it was not inevitable that those areas *would* enjoy a net gain.
🌳 From 2018–2024, Cambridge's tree canopy experienced an overall increase of 5%! 📈
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
December 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This is great news. The full report also shows a net increase in each neighborhood, and areas of the city with the least existing canopy had the largest percentage increase.
While that makes obvious statistical sense, it was not inevitable that those areas *would* enjoy a net gain.
While that makes obvious statistical sense, it was not inevitable that those areas *would* enjoy a net gain.
Most people who hold NIMBY views are not evil like Vance, but it's hard to deny that NIMBYism is fundamentally anti-immigrant.
We do not have too many people - not in the US, or in MA, or in Cambridge, or in any neighborhood. We just have too few homes, and that's fixable.
We do not have too many people - not in the US, or in MA, or in Cambridge, or in any neighborhood. We just have too few homes, and that's fixable.
JD Vance: "As we've kicked illegal aliens out of our country, you actually see housing costs start to level off."
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Most people who hold NIMBY views are not evil like Vance, but it's hard to deny that NIMBYism is fundamentally anti-immigrant.
We do not have too many people - not in the US, or in MA, or in Cambridge, or in any neighborhood. We just have too few homes, and that's fixable.
We do not have too many people - not in the US, or in MA, or in Cambridge, or in any neighborhood. We just have too few homes, and that's fixable.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
#CambridgeMA cancels contract with surveillance-cam company because it installed two new cameras after city told it to take down all its cameras
www.cambridgeday.com/2025/12/10/c...
www.cambridgeday.com/2025/12/10/c...
City cancels deal for license plate tech - Cambridge Day
Cambridge drops Flock Safety after company acknowledges it installed cameras against the orders of the city council.
www.cambridgeday.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
#CambridgeMA cancels contract with surveillance-cam company because it installed two new cameras after city told it to take down all its cameras
www.cambridgeday.com/2025/12/10/c...
www.cambridgeday.com/2025/12/10/c...
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
From the Yale Youth Poll - note how much more young people care about housing. It's issue #3 in importance for them! (And since housing is most people's biggest expense, "affordability" is really another way of talking about housing.)
December 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
From the Yale Youth Poll - note how much more young people care about housing. It's issue #3 in importance for them! (And since housing is most people's biggest expense, "affordability" is really another way of talking about housing.)
It's not great, friends. After the PO removing Flock cameras, Flock installed 2 more.
The guardrails meant to prevent improper use of cameras for immigration enforcement or abortion surveillance are inadequate.
Flock rep tries to reassure with irrelevant tech jargon. This is not a tech problem.
The guardrails meant to prevent improper use of cameras for immigration enforcement or abortion surveillance are inadequate.
Flock rep tries to reassure with irrelevant tech jargon. This is not a tech problem.
LIVE NOW: The #cambma City Council's public safety committee hearing about Flock Safety's ALPR cameras.
cambridgema.zoom.us/w/97895847144
I'm not likely to live-cover it.
cambridgema.zoom.us/w/97895847144
I'm not likely to live-cover it.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: City Council. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: City Council. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
cambridgema.zoom.us
December 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
It's not great, friends. After the PO removing Flock cameras, Flock installed 2 more.
The guardrails meant to prevent improper use of cameras for immigration enforcement or abortion surveillance are inadequate.
Flock rep tries to reassure with irrelevant tech jargon. This is not a tech problem.
The guardrails meant to prevent improper use of cameras for immigration enforcement or abortion surveillance are inadequate.
Flock rep tries to reassure with irrelevant tech jargon. This is not a tech problem.
Reposted by Jess Sheehan
.@cambpublichealth.bsky.social will be handing out free Narcan, test strips, CPR face shields, & other harm reduction materials at the Public Library's Central Sq Branch on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 1–3pm.
With these tools, you can help save a life. https://camb.ma/4rEwMrt
With these tools, you can help save a life. https://camb.ma/4rEwMrt
December 8, 2025 at 12:43 AM
.@cambpublichealth.bsky.social will be handing out free Narcan, test strips, CPR face shields, & other harm reduction materials at the Public Library's Central Sq Branch on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 1–3pm.
With these tools, you can help save a life. https://camb.ma/4rEwMrt
With these tools, you can help save a life. https://camb.ma/4rEwMrt
Depending on who it is asking me and what qualities we share, I respond to, "How are you not cold?!" with either, "I'm Bostonian" or "I'm fat" and both are true
i love being fat, everyone around me is freezing but the cold is barely touching me
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Depending on who it is asking me and what qualities we share, I respond to, "How are you not cold?!" with either, "I'm Bostonian" or "I'm fat" and both are true
"Taken together, these results demonstrate that voters are ready for leaders who will confront the housing shortage head-on by supporting reforms that make it easier to build more homes."
AHMA’s 2025 Election Recap: Pro-Housing Momentum Builds Across Massachusetts
www.abundanthousingma.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
"Taken together, these results demonstrate that voters are ready for leaders who will confront the housing shortage head-on by supporting reforms that make it easier to build more homes."
Fiance: I have this voice in my head telling me to season the onions first.
Me: Well, you should.
Fiance: Yes, it sounded just like that.
Me: Well, you should.
Fiance: Yes, it sounded just like that.
November 20, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Fiance: I have this voice in my head telling me to season the onions first.
Me: Well, you should.
Fiance: Yes, it sounded just like that.
Me: Well, you should.
Fiance: Yes, it sounded just like that.
Was just talking about this the other day. Free is fine, but reliable is essential.
Worsening traffic congestion and the removal of critical bus lanes means that @mbta.com bus trips on Boston's highest-ridership routes take, on average, 15 percent longer than they did when @mayorwu.boston.gov took office 4 years ago.
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
Paying With Their Time: Increasing Traffic Congestion Erodes Benefits of Boston's Fare-Free Buses - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Mayor Wu's press office avoided several inquiries from StreetsblogMASS to discuss the worsening delays in MBTA bus service over the course of her first term.
mass.streetsblog.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Was just talking about this the other day. Free is fine, but reliable is essential.