City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Dockets #0201 & #0202

The hearing was called to order at 6:10 PM by Committee Chair Councilor Ben Weber. The session focused on two specific dockets:

• Docket #0201: Order for a hearing to discuss Boston's FY27 operating budget.
• Docket #0202: Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' (BPS) FY27 operating budget.

Attendees:

• Councilors Present: Ben Weber (Chair), Sharon Durkan, Julia Mejia, Miniard Culpepper, Enrique Pepén, Ruthzee Louijeune, and Brian Worrell.
• Absences: Councilor Edward Flynn provided a letter of absence.

Multiple speakers addressed the proposed $1.71 billion BPS budget, expressing concern over a projected $53 million to $58 million shortfall that may lead to significant staffing reductions.

• Keough McClay (Executive Director, Boston Education Justice Alliance - BEJA): Stated that students deserve better and noted that while the budget appears large, growth is absorbed by structural costs like healthcare and transportation. McClay called for the city to allocate 1% of its operating budget to prevent cuts to student services.
• Dr. Bianca Ortiz-White (Strategic Researcher, Boston Teachers Union): Highlighted that the city has a $1.3 billion unassigned general fund balance (30.1% of GAAP expenditures), which is double the policy minimum. She noted the budget proposes eliminating 531 staff positions, disproportionately affecting special education paraprofessionals and bilingual support staff.
• Hannah Houven (Teacher, UP Academy Holland): Testified that her school recently exited receivership but now faces the loss of special education and inclusion teachers due to budget cuts.
• Nyla Hicks-Fernandez (Vice President, Boston Student Advisory Council): Emphasized that students feel the impact of stretched resources immediately. "A city's priorities are revealed by what it chooses to protect, and Boston students and young people should never be the place where y'all choose to fall short."
• David Damiani (Supervisor of Attendance): Opposed cuts to the attendance department, noting that the team was expanded to 10 supervisors under Superintendent Mary Skipper, resulting in a decrease in chronic absenteeism to 25%.

Advocates from the Youth Justice and Power Union (YJPU) and other community members called for a shift in spending from the Boston Police Department (BPD) to community services.

• Carlys Manana (YJPU): Demanded a 10% cut to the police budget to fund mental health crisis response teams. She noted the BPD budget is $477 million compared to $22 million for youth programs.
• Khalil Howell (YJPU): Pointed out that BPD has 2,143 officers, which he claimed is significantly higher per capita than national averages. He suggested cutting 300 officers to save $27 million for youth jobs.
• Samaya (Roslindale): Advocated for increasing youth job funding to $50 million, noting that current funding has decreased from $27 million to $22 million.
• Genesis Cornejo: Requested that youth wages for those aged 19-24 be increased from $20 to $24 per hour to provide a living wage.

Members of the Boston Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) advocated for increased funding for public restrooms as a matter of dignity and public health.

• Leonard Libano (East Boston): Noted that East Boston only has nine public restrooms, many of which are seasonal or have limited hours.
• Jack Fursey (Allston): Requested restrooms at major transit hubs and T stations to improve equity and accessibility.
• Malcolm Sherman Godfrey: Highlighted the lack of facilities at Downtown Crossing and noted that existing facilities, like those at the Boston Common Frog Pond, are closed during winter months.
• Patrick Balog: Stated that 24/7, well-stocked restrooms are essential infrastructure for a vibrant city, particularly for those with medical conditions.

Speakers addressed the need for expanded housing support and fiscal accountability.

• Michael Caine (Director, Mass Alliance of Tenants): Requested an additional $3 million for the city-funded rent subsidy program to house 130 more homeless individuals. He criticized BPD spending, noting that 33 officers earn more than $400,000 annually.
• Aparna Lakshmi (Teacher, O'Brien School): Criticized the loss of five staff positions at her school despite a negligible enrollment decline (17 students). She urged the Council to advocate for statewide tax reform and criticized state-level opposition to commercial property tax adjustments.

Councilors provided closing statements emphasizing the importance of public input in the budget process.

• Councilor Brian Worrell requested a working session on revenue to compare projections with historical actuals.
• Councilor Ben Weber noted that police overtime is currently on pace to reach $100 million this fiscal year and acknowledged the new focus on public restrooms brought forward by the testimony.
• The next pre-budget public testimony session is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
• The hearing was adjourned.