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Walsh's Budget Plan Would Hike Spending 4 Percent
The Walsh administration on Wednesday unveiled its spending blueprint for next fiscal year, a $3.29 billion budget plan that would increase spending $137 million, or 4.3 percent, over the current fiscal year.
Of that increase in spending, $48 million more would go to schools in the fiscal year that starts in July.
"Boston’s expanding economy is generating growing revenue to support investments in city neighborhoods," the Walsh administration said with its budget plan. "Property tax growth remains the main driver and far exceeds previous growth realized in the City."
Here are some of the proposal's notable spending initiatives:
- $2.4 million for Boston Public Schools to hire eight nurses and 12 psychologists and social workers;
- $2 million toward the implementation of body cameras for police officers, following a one-year pilot project;
- $1.8 million to make Boston's Engagement Center, for people receiving recovery services, permanent;
- capital funding to rebuild the bridge to Long Island, in Boston Harbor;
- $5 million in assorted transportation investments, paid for in part with higher parking fines.
The Boston City Council needs to approve the spending plan.