Wu adds funding to pre-K, public housing in proposed Boston budget

Mayor Michelle Wu is asking the Boston City Council to approve her nearly $4.3 billion budget proposal.

"This is a budget that is about people, the people of our city, our residents and constituents, and also the people who work for the city of Boston," Wu said while unveiling the spending plan at the new civic pavilion at City Hall Plaza Wednesday.

The proposal represents a 7% increase over the current year's budget. Wu said the number is supported by strong revenues and bond ratings.

It includes several high-profile new investments, like $4 million for universal pre-K, which Wu said will support over 350 new seats, and $50 million to improve Boston public housing properties and help make them fossil fuel-free.

The budget also focuses on funding basic government services like repairing stairs and sidewalks, she said.

"We want to make sure that rather than just always announcing new things and new things and new things, and certainly there are some great new things here, the focus also has to be on doing what we already do well," Wu said.

The council will hold several hearings on the mayor's proposal in the coming weeks, with a final vote expected before the summer. The body is newly empowered to directly amend specific line items in the budget.