Research Bureau Opposes Change to Budget Responsibility of the Mayor
Research Bureau Opposes Amendment to the City Charter to Change the Budgetary Powers in Boston
December 8, 2020 – The Research Bureau strongly opposes a City Charter amendment that would change the process for creating and approving the operating and capital budgets in the City of Boston. This order is expected to be voted on at the City Council’s December 9, 2020 meeting as the first step to make a major revision to the City Charter. The proposed change in the budget process, in an attempt to give equal budget authority to the Council and Mayor, will not be in the best interest of the City as a whole and will bring uncertainty to the City’s fiscal future.
The Boston City Council should focus on exercising its current authority to influence spending and ensuring accountability. The City of Boston is a $6.61 billion municipal corporation, with a budget process that already requires City Council participation throughout the course of a fiscal year with ample opportunity for the City Council to shape the priorities of the City.
It’s time for the City Council to utilize their current power and fulfill the role they were elected to do, advocating for the needs of the community. Focusing on taking power from the Mayor and changing the fundamental structure of Boston’s government is not in the best interests of the residents of Boston; it only invites chaos.
Read the full testimony here.