San Francisco voters got the chance Tuesday to rein in Airbnb and similar online services that have pressured housing costs and siphoned business from hotels around the nation, as a ballot measure in the city by the bay sought to limit short-term residential rentals.
The outcome could influence debate in other areas, including New York City and Massachusetts, where measures are also pending to put the brakes on the popular services.
BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Tuesday that allows gay and lesbian business owners to receive preferential treatment when competing for contracts to supply Massachusetts agencies with goods and services.
The order adds three categories of business owners to the list of suppliers that qualify for government set-asides. Those additions include one for firms whose owners are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, another for all veteran-owned businesses and one for owners with disabilities, according to a statement from the governor's office. Until now, only businesses owned by women, minorities, or veterans disabled in service qualified for the government preference.
