When Marty Walsh moves into the mayor’s office, he’ll bring a credential that could help the city. He’s a longtime State Representative who knows how things get done on Beacon Hill. 

And if Walsh wants, that could shift the dynamic between the city and the state.

WGBH News' Adam Reilly reports on Beacon Hill's control over Boston. 

If, as mayor, Walsh tries to change the power balance between Boston and Beacon Hill, that knowledge could be invaluable.

The state’s control over Boston’s affairs is both counterintuitive and considerable. Beacon Hill regulates a number of things other big cities simply assume they’ll handle on their own, including the number of liquor licenses available citywide and the taxes that are and aren’t levied.

(Read Reilly's blog post on WGBH's new politics blog The Scrum.)

GUEST