During the regular city council meeting, the city council passed Mayor Marty Walsh’s $3.49 billion budget for the 2020 fiscal year.
The budget is more than a $176 million increase from last year. The budget includes funding for more than 2,200 new police officers, as well as developing a new unsolved homicide unit in the Boston Police Department.
Money is also being put aside to help gain more diverse recruits in the Boston police and fire departments.
Also, a $20.6 million will be dedicated to developing new housing units in the city.
The council unanimously passed city’s operating and capital the budget. The Boston Public Schools saw a $50 million increase to their budget. There will be funding for free menstrual products for students, a full-time nurse in every school and a step towards creating universal pre-K.
However, in terms of the Boston Public Schools budget, some councilors had harsh words.
Councilor Lydia Edwards blasted the school budget saying it cut $2.6 million from her district this year, which is the biggest cut any district faced.
“This budget is embarrassing,” said Edwards. “This budget is not a response in any way shape or form of a BPS that is listening to District 1.”
Edwards said her district is facing a displacement crisis and that did not get factored into creating the budget for her district.
“If a budget is reflective of the values of a government than it is very clear that BPS does not value district 1 schools,” she added.
Councilors Edwards, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell voted against the school budget, but it ultimately passed.
Edwards did thank the administration to their commitment to cleaning up the city and the additional funding for the North End to help keep it clean during the summer months.
“We see 2 million tourists,” she said. “So, this is appreciated.”
The budget goes into effect on July 1.
What is a displacement crisis?
Gentrification.
Well now I’m really confused. I can’t see where gentrification relates to the cut in the school budget. Is this student population growing or shrinking. This neighborhood is aging which would justify the smaller school budget.