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Boston City Councilors begin discussion of vote for/against mayor's budget.
First up, Bok says she's voting yes.
Says spending in budget can set high watermark. Says colleagues are gambling with salaries in voting no. Says there's no viable counterproposal.
First up, Bok says she's voting yes.
Says spending in budget can set high watermark. Says colleagues are gambling with salaries in voting no. Says there's no viable counterproposal.
Says we spend too much "over-policing" black and brown communities, argues police spending should come down "on a timeline that is urgent" for next-year's budget. Calls for hearing on how to cut overtime budget.
Essaibi George up. Says it's not a perfect budget, but cites investments in education budget, homeless services.
This is a very difficult time in the city... "We need to dig up the root causes of racism that no budget will solve."
"I'm also aware that there are many who cannot wait for another [budget] revision."
"I'm also aware that there are many who cannot wait for another [budget] revision."
Today I will vote to approve all of the budgets before us. (capital, operational, education)
Flynn up. Cites investments in housing, education, etc.
"Voting for this budget will preserve important investments" - housing, education, etc... Yes vote.
Edwards up now...
"Voting for this budget will preserve important investments" - housing, education, etc... Yes vote.
Edwards up now...
Volume drops out. Janey "we'll come back to you after the next speaker" Arroyo up
Says city's police overtime budget is 1,500% higher than fair housing office.
Compares police budget to Immigration Advancement, Veterans affairs, Youth Engagement and Employment, Public Works Department, Office of Emergency Management, Boston Fire Dept. budget, Health and Human Svcs.
Argues that investments in critical, non-police services should happen now, before recession budget next year.
A no vote. so far 3 yeses, 1 no.
Edwards still can't connect...
Campbell up
A no vote. so far 3 yeses, 1 no.
Edwards still can't connect...
Campbell up
Cambell has reviewed 1,000 of emails from residents, constituents, city employees.
On one hand, residents are demanding systemic change...
On the other hand, city employees are worried about using their jobs...
Officers worried about how they'll do their jobs...
On one hand, residents are demanding systemic change...
On the other hand, city employees are worried about using their jobs...
Officers worried about how they'll do their jobs...
Dismisses notion that council would derail budget by rejecting it.
Says people shouldn't settle for less.
"Communities of color have been taking what they can get out of this project for years and years."
Says people shouldn't settle for less.
"Communities of color have been taking what they can get out of this project for years and years."
Discusses school budget. Says it's a business-as-usual budget for an unprecedented time. Not enough funding.
Says we must divert more money from BPD. Notes is 2nd largest item in budget. "What does that say about our values."
Says we must divert more money from BPD. Notes is 2nd largest item in budget. "What does that say about our values."
Says mayor could challenge 4-hour minimum on police overtime.
Says all departments' budgets should be evaluated through racial equity lens.
Says budget can be delayed without affecting city employees' jobs.
Says all departments' budgets should be evaluated through racial equity lens.
Says budget can be delayed without affecting city employees' jobs.
Says she cannot in good conscience vote for the budget.
(2 no, 3 yes)
(2 no, 3 yes)
Edwards up, audio on.
Edwards notes she voted down school budget last year. Will vote for school budget this year.
Her staff sent statement on operating budget:
"While I would like to see a different allocation of resources than what’s in the proposed budget, I don’t believe that voting “no” on this year’s budget is going to bring about the systemic change we need at this time."
"While I would like to see a different allocation of resources than what’s in the proposed budget, I don’t believe that voting “no” on this year’s budget is going to bring about the systemic change we need at this time."
"The potential consequences of denying this budget are too great for me to risk." (cut and paste works much better than me butchering people's quotes with poor typing skills)
Voting for schools, capital and operating budget.
Says she's recd. a lot of calls about budget.
Says she's recd. a lot of calls about budget.
Says there's a "call for structural change."
"I'm not going to cheerlead this budget like some of my colleagues did."
Disappointed conv. "seems to have pitted social services against the police."
"I'm not going to cheerlead this budget like some of my colleagues did."
Disappointed conv. "seems to have pitted social services against the police."
Voting no on this budget is not going to bring about structural change.
Says opponents should not put their faith in budget to address structural flaws in city. Quotes Lorde: "You cannot dismantle the master's house with the master's tools."
Says opponents should not put their faith in budget to address structural flaws in city. Quotes Lorde: "You cannot dismantle the master's house with the master's tools."
Cites risks to city workers' salaries. Says no votes will result in layoffs.
"I ran on being a voice and not an echo."
"I challenge anyone to question my character and I'll be damned if anyone questions my blackness or my commitment to people of color."
(she's gotten hate mail)
"I challenge anyone to question my character and I'll be damned if anyone questions my blackness or my commitment to people of color."
(she's gotten hate mail)
Flaherty up.
"we need financial stability and predictability now more than ever."
"we need financial stability and predictability now more than ever."
Says "We may even have to come back and cut this budget even further," citing decline in state aid, potential drop in revenue.
Interestingly, both the yes votes and Arroyo are citing projected future drops in revenue, budget tightening as justification of keeping budget as is, v. diverting funding from BPD.
Flaherty cites work of police officers. "They need to be recognized for their work."
Says they're willing to work with council on reforms.
Says no vote would do disservice to men and women in uniform.
Says they're willing to work with council on reforms.
Says no vote would do disservice to men and women in uniform.
O'Malley up now.
Says he's committed to tackling systemic racism.
"My conscience cannot ignore the calls for change," but his conscience will not allow him to vote for Walsh's budget.
Says he's committed to tackling systemic racism.
"My conscience cannot ignore the calls for change," but his conscience will not allow him to vote for Walsh's budget.
Says council must wait for upcoming contract negotiations, not cut police budget.
Says he'd support a civilian review board.
Says he'd support a civilian review board.
Says no vote would almost certainly lead to layoffs.
Acknowledges Edwards for leadership with her comments.
Acknowledges Edwards for leadership with her comments.
Baker up. Says he'd like to cut and paste O'Malley's comments. Also commends Edwards.
"The responsible thing to do is pass this budget."
"The responsible thing to do is pass this budget."
(yes vote)
Liz Breadon up now.
Says it's been a thoughtful and deliberative process.
Says it's been a thoughtful and deliberative process.
Our nation and our city are calling out for deep systemic change.
Says city budget is proposing huge investments in affordable housing.
Will support budget. Assures councilors of color she'll work with them to address systemic racism, issues the brought up in their letter.
Says city budget is proposing huge investments in affordable housing.
Will support budget. Assures councilors of color she'll work with them to address systemic racism, issues the brought up in their letter.
Wu up she's a no vote.
"The bread and butter that spreads structural racism are evasion and procrastination."
"Passing this budget is a message to those [advocating for change] it's a message that they should be satisfied with incremental change."
"The bread and butter that spreads structural racism are evasion and procrastination."
"Passing this budget is a message to those [advocating for change] it's a message that they should be satisfied with incremental change."
Says admin ran out the clock with threats of layoffs.
Said admin. officials engaged in "fear-mongering."
Said admin. officials engaged in "fear-mongering."
Mejia up now.
"I am no longer interested in having drip drop incremental change."
"I am no longer interested in having drip drop incremental change."
"This is not the mayor's budget. This is the people's budget. These are our tax dollars." Says she's responsible to her constituents.
"It's our responsibility to make sure we vote on our values."
"It's our responsibility to make sure we vote on our values."
(She's a no vote)
"We're not here to do business as usual. I'm not here to play politics." Says she's here to change the way politics happen.
"We're not here to do business as usual. I'm not here to play politics." Says she's here to change the way politics happen.
Mejia:
"Enough is enough. If we're really serious about change, we have to change the way we do business. That starts with the people who put us in office."
Janey up now
"Enough is enough. If we're really serious about change, we have to change the way we do business. That starts with the people who put us in office."
Janey up now
"That starts with *listening to* the people who put us in office."
Janey thanks people for their advocacy. "We need you in this process of advocating for black and brown lives."
Says this is the best budget yet she's voted on. Is grateful for investments in her districts, including the Roxbury branch library, etc.
While there are items in the budget she's pleased with...
Says playing field in Boston not even. We continuously see black lives disrespected over and over again.
Says playing field in Boston not even. We continuously see black lives disrespected over and over again.
We have a real opportunity to do something different. Cites her Black and Brown Agenda letter. https://www.baystatebanner.com/2020/06/23/councilors-of-color-angle-for-no/
"There is a side to take. And that's the side of justice. And that's where I want to stand today."
"Are we gong to continue to protect the system... are we going to take bold action and take a different course?"
"Are we gong to continue to protect the system... are we going to take bold action and take a different course?"
"We need to do more to address systemic racism in our city."
For those who want to be allies... it's too important to let things slide...
For those who want to be allies... it's too important to let things slide...
Since 2011, we've seen the overtime budget grow by 84 percent. That is not sustainable. Are we any safer because we've let the overtime grow by 84 percent? If your answer is yes, let me ask you this: Do the black and brown people feel the same?
We can't pass Bandaid reforms when our system needs an overhaul.
"'Black lives matter, but we need to wait.' People are tired of waiting."
"'Black lives matter, but we need to wait.' People are tired of waiting."
"This is our moment to do something different."
"We have nothing to lose but our chains."
Time for votes
Operating budget:
No votes: Arroyo, Campbell, Mejia, Janey, Wu (Passes 8-5)
No votes: Arroyo, Campbell, Mejia, Janey, Wu (Passes 8-5)
Education budget
Campbell and Wu vote no (Passes 11-2)
Campbell and Wu vote no (Passes 11-2)
Post Employment Liabilities Trust Fund (retirement)
Unanimous yes vote
Unanimous yes vote
Capital budget passes unanimously.
Here's a brief writeup: https://www.baystatebanner.com/2020/06/24/council-votes-to-pass-city-budget/
