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From YouTube: Committee on Government Operations on August 6, 2020
Description
Docket #0851 - Regarding an amendment to the Boston City Charter pursuant to G.L. c. 43B, ยง10(b)
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And
I
was
just
checking
for
the
research
municipal
bureau.
If
pam
is
here
yet
she's,
not
here
yet,
okay,
we
haven't
gotten
testimony
from
her.
Yet
okay,
all
right,
so
I'm
going
to
go
ahead
and
get
started,
make
sure
my
camera
is
working
good
morning.
Everyone
today
is
thursday
august
6th.
This
is
this
is
a
hearing
order
or
hearing
on
docket
0851
for
an
amendment
to
the
boston
city
charter
pursuant
to
43b
10b,
I'm
lydia
edwards,
I'm
chair
of
the
committee
on
government
operations,
and
I
sponsored
this
this
docket.
C
It
was
referred
to
the
committee
on
july,
8th
the
committee
held.
It
is
now
holding
today's
first
hearing
on
this.
In
accordance
with
governor
baker's
march
12
executive
order
modifying
certain
requirements
of
the
open
meeting
law
we
are
able
to
have.
The
city
council
will
be
conducting
its
this
hearing
virtually
on
zoom.
This
enables
the
city
council
to
carry
out
its
responsibilities
and
to
adhere
to
public
health
accommodations.
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Under
this
provisions
of
this
section,
the
local
legislative
body
may
propose
a
charter
amendment
specifically
through
a
written
request
by
the
city
by
city
council
to
the
city
clerk.
I
have
done
that
this
written
request
then
initiates
a
mandatory
timeline
which
we
are
now
on,
by
which
the
city
council
must
hold
a
public
hearing
which
we're
having
today
advise,
and
we
must
advertise
that
public
hearing
in
newspaper
which
we
have
done
and
ultimately
take
final
action
within
six
months.
We
are
not
there
yet.
C
If,
ultimately,
we
pass
or
pass
it
out
of
our
body,
it
would
go
to
the
attorney
general's
office.
She
must
confirm
his
constitutionality
and
then
it
goes
to
the
ballot.
Excuse
me,
this
is
again
part
of
a
mandatory
timeline
under
10,
43b
10b,
and
so,
as
a
result
we're
having
this
hearing
today,
I
want
to
be
very
clear
about
the
specific
goals
of
today.
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This
is
literally
asking
and
forming
a
ballot
question
for
the
voters
of
boston,
to
determine
how
and
who
and
under
what
timeline
their
money
will
be
allocated.
That's
it
what
this
can
do
and
help
answer
questions
is
for
folks
or
we're
concerned
about
allocations
for
law
enforcement.
It
could
also
be
dealing
with
questions
about
allocations
of
our
school
budget.
Many
people
are
concerned
about
the
accountability
of
district
city
councils
to
their
district.
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C
You're
going
to
watch
us
as
we
negotiate
and
discuss
what
we
think
should
happen
in
our
budget
right
now,
whether
you
want
to
believe
it
or
not.
Many
of
us
are
having
those
discussions
about
the
budget
directly
with
the
mayor,
but
you're
not
aware
of
them.
This
is
bringing
that
sunlight
to
that
process,
but
in
bringing
that
sunlight,
we're
also
bringing
ourselves
and
the
community
to
the
table.
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I
don't
believe
an
up
or
down
yes
or
no
vote
is
any
is,
is
truly
a
democratic
process
that
accounts
for
the
many
needs
and
calls
and
cries
for
not
only
change,
but
also
for
transparency
and
accountability.
It
makes
us
better
fiscal
stewards
as
counselors.
It
makes
us
more
accountable
actually
to
the
public.
C
D
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
council
edwards.
Thank
you,
council,
edwards
for
filing
this
amendment
and
having
this
important
conversation
about
the
role
of
the
city,
council
and
molding
the
city
budget.
As
you
mentioned
in
your
opening
comments,
council
edwards,
the
city
council,
has
limited
power
in
crafting
the
budget.
Although
we
meet
constantly
with
the
mayor's
team.
During
that
process,
the
city
councillors
are
on
the
ground,
we're
talking
to
residents
every
day,
whether
it's
at
the
at
the
supermarket
at
the
ballpark,
picking
our
kids
up
at
school.
D
So
we're
talking
to
residents
every
day,
probably
seven
days
a
week,
and
we
know
the
important
needs
of
our
district
in
neighborhoods.
As
does
the
mayor
know
the
important
needs
and
districts
needs
of
the
of
the
city
as
well.
I
think
it's
a
fair
debate
in
an
important
debate
to
see
how
the
city
council
can
be
more
engaged
in
the
budget
process
weighing
in
on
the
budget
process
and
not
just
weighing
in
with
a
yes
or
a
no
on
the
budget
vote.
D
I
also
know
that,
even
during
this
period
of
uncertainty,
you
know,
counselor
bach
during
this
process
was
very
engaging.
We
worked
closely
with
the
mayor's
team
with
the
with
our
colleagues
in
in
governments.
That
was
a
positive
development,
so
I
I
hope
to
that.
We
were
able
to
continue
that
positive
interaction
with
the
mayor's
team
in
with
our
ways
and
means
chair,
because
it's
a
very
important
part
of
the
process,
leaning
up
to
the
going
up
to
the
budget
vote
in
the
future.
E
Good
morning,
councillor
edwards
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
for
your
leadership
on
this
important
issue.
I
have
a
lot
to
learn
as
a
new
counselor
about
this
whole
budgeting
process,
but
I
really
feel
as
we
in
our
past
budget.
My
first
experience
was
a
level
of
frustration
that
the
city
council
doesn't
have
more
direct
input
into
the
formulation
of
the
budget
itself,
rather
than
just
getting
to
an
up
and
down
vote
at
the
end
of
the
process.
E
I
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H
I
think
it's
completely
reasonable
that
people
assume
that
their
legislators
can,
you
know,
amend
a
budget
and
realistically,
in
most
you
know,
certainly
up
at
the
state
house
and
other
places.
The
legislative
body
originates
the
budget.
I
think
that
you
know
I'm
looking
forward
to
this
conversation,
some
folks
who
have
spent
a
bunch
of
time
thinking
about
the
charter.
H
J
And
I
think,
as
we
have
this
conversation,
it's
really
important
to
understand
that
this
system
works
the
way
it
does
now
to
exclude.
And
so
as
we
move
forward.
I
look
forward
to
creating
a
question
that
we
eventually
put
on
the
ballot
that
gives
a
democratic
democratic
process
to
the
budget
in
a
real
way
and
brings
more
voices
in
not
less.
K
Thank
you,
councillor,
edwards,
for
hosting
the
conversation.
I
am
looking
forward
to
it,
and
this
is
like
many
of
my
colleagues
have
said
long
overdue,
and
you
know
for
me,
I
believe,
in
checks
and
balances,
it's
extremely
difficult
to
do
that.
To
hold
the
administration
accountable
to
effectively
represent
the
constituents
we
serve
with
such
limited
power,
not
just
with
respect
to
the
budget,
but
appointments.
K
You
know
to
our
department
heads
the
list
is
long
and
it's
quite
shocking.
When
you
compare
our
council
to
other
major
cities
and
their
city
councils
and
the
authorities
and
power
they
have
to
do
their
jobs,
it's
it's
stark,
in
contrast,
and
so
I
really
am
excited
for
this
conversation.
I
do
think
it's
long
overdue
and
I
will
add,
we
are
obviously
in
many
conversations
now
around
education,
reopening
policing,
reform
economic
opportunity.
K
You
know
the
racial
and
digital
divide.
The
list
is
long
and
often
the
question
we
get
as
district
counselors.
Is
you
know?
What
is
your
power
to
change
that
and
I've
said
I
am
done
being
a
glorified
advocate.
It's
really
difficult
to
have
an
impact
on
those
issues
when
we
do
not
hold
the
power
to
make
it
happen
immediately,
and
so
I
think
this
is
an
opportunity
for
our
constituents
to
really
look
at.
L
Yeah
yeah.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
I
think
about
this
a
little
differently.
I
think
if
we
politicize
our
budget,
there's
a
reason
why
I
mean
the
previous
speaker
just
talked
about
comparing
us
to
other
cities.
If
you,
if
you
compare
us
to
other
cities,
we
are
financially
far
better
off
than
than
most
aaa
bond
rating
because
of
good
management
in
our
in
our
our
finances.
L
I
think,
if
we
politicize
this
budget,
you
would
see
you
would
see
a
downward
spiral
in
in
our
bond
ratings
and
different
things
like
that.
I
think
we
are
elected
to
take
votes
on
this
budget.
I
don't
think
we
need
advocates
at
the
table
to
take
votes
for
us.
That's
what
we
are
elected
as
district
city
councils
as
city
councils,
we're
elected
to
pay
attention
this
budget,
we're
elected
to
have
relationships
with
with
department
heads
to
make
sure
that
they're
doing
what
we
want.
L
So
that's
about
all
I'm
here
to
I'm
here,
to
listen
and
and
and
learn
and
again
you
cannot.
You
cannot
take
away
if
anybody
remembers
the
70s,
the
80s,
when,
when
the
pain
that
we're
going
through,
I'm
sure
counselor
counselor
flynn
could
could
talk
to
his
father
about
it
and
and
when
we
didn't
have
money,
there's
a
reason,
there's
a
reason
why
we're
in
good
shape,
there's
a
reason
why
we're
one
of
the
few
cities
in
the
country
that
will
be
that
will
be
level
funded
in
our
pensions.
L
So
so
I
would
like
to
see
people
before
the
first
year
first
year,
first-year
counselors
looking
to
come
in
and
change
the
whole
the
whole
budget
process.
I
think
they
should
maybe
start
to
learn
some
of
the
departments
and
what
they
do
first
before
you
want
to
take
all
the
cars
and
just
throw
them
up
in
the
air.
Thank
you.
N
Thank
you
very
much,
madam
chair.
I
just
wanted
to
say
you
know
so
much
has
already
been
said,
so
I
will
just
note
that
I
support
the
chair
and
her
long
push
and
leadership
to
make
sure
that
we
are
strengthening
the
power
of
democracy
and
and
the
ability
for
the
the
democratic
representation
on
the
city
council,
which
includes
listening
to
our
constituents
and
providing
a
voice
and
amplifying
community
voices
for
that
to
have
impact.
N
I
also
just
want
to
note
that
for
me,
it's
you
know,
and
the
chair-
and
I
have
had
these
conversations
before
that
it's
it's
really
important-
that
I
would
like
to
make
sure
the
public
hears
that
we
can
do
both
right.
It's
not
just.
We
need
to
wait
for
the
big
change.
That's
going
to
take
a
longer
time
to
come
before
we
can
exercise
more
power
before
we
can
continue
to
strengthen
folks
voices
and
amplify
advocacy.
N
There
is
more
that
the
council
could
do
within
our
current
power
structure,
which
you
know
I
I
totally
agree
with
counselor
campbell
in
referencing.
What
the
format
and
power
arrangement
of
other
cities
are.
We
are
different
relative
to
cities
who
have
more
of
a
an
ability
for
the
legislative
body
to
exercise
immediate
authority.
However,
even
compared
to
cities
with
the
exact
same
power
structure,
as
we
have,
the
council
historically
has
not
shaped
things
in
as
active
a
manner
as
elsewhere
in
boston.
N
C
O
Look
forward
to
listening
to
some
testimony.
Our
body
should
always
seek
ways
to
improve
public
participation
in
government,
as
well
as
increased
oversight,
and
the
ability
to
affect
meaningful
change
would
go
a
long
way
in
making
it
a
better
budget
and
ultimately
creating
a
better
city.
So
I
I
think
this
hearing
is
is
just
the
first
step
of
benny
in
order
to
change
our
city
of
china.
There
are
a
number
of
things
about
the
charter
that
we
all
can
talk
to.
O
We've
addressed
over
the
years
as
outdated,
archaic
and
and
it's
time
that
we
start
to
look
at
what
works
best
for
boston
in
2020
and
also
moving
forward,
and
also
allow
us
to
sort
of
control
our
own
destiny
and
not
to
digress.
But
we
talk
about
whether
it's
on
whether
it's
silica,
lice
and
stuff.
It's
like
we're
always
having
to
sort
of
go
ahead
and
hand
up
to
the
legislature.
O
C
C
She
might
be
shiva
coming
in
later,
then,
just
to
also
note
that
the
administration
I
want
to
be
clear
about
the
back
and
forth
on
this
and
the
communication
they're
not
here
today.
They,
I
think,
sent
a
letter
and
I'll
read
from
parts
of
that.
I
want
to
be
clear.
The
administration-
and
I
are
talking
on
a
regular
basis
about
this,
because
it's
it's.
C
C
This
proposed
amendment
in
the
city
charter
would
alter
the
city's
budget
process
and
budgetary
function
of
the
boston
city
council.
Such
a
change
would
impact
how
departments
create
their
annual
budgets
and
could
impact
city's
bond
rating,
which
influences
our
ability
to
borrow
money
to
support
the
annual
capital
plan.
C
The
city
of
boston's
financial
strength
comes
from
strong
management
and
a
demonstrated
history
of
success.
Changes
to
this
process
require
significant
discussion
and
analysis.
Members
of
the
administration
will
be
watching
today's
hearing
and
listening
to
counselors
and
other
stakeholders,
thoughts
on
the
proposed
amendment
and
the
city's
budget
process.
The
city's
law
department
is
reviewing
the
proposed
amendment
in
the
process.
As
we
speak,
we
look
forward
to
hearing
more
the
city
budget
department
is
working
to
understand
how
this
proposal
would
alter
the
timeline
and
development
of
the
city's
annual
budget.
C
C
C
C
C
C
So
that's
how
this
process
would
work.
So
again
I
sent
to
my
colleagues
the
budget
language,
the
or
the
amendment
language
and
suggestions.
We
also
have
several
guests
here
today
who
also
wanted
to
weigh
in
with
suggestions
with
concerns
with
some
historical
notes
or
even
to
answer
some
questions
that
we
may
have
have
we
been
joined
by
also
pam
from
municipal.
C
Yes,
we
have
been
joined
by
pam
very
well,
so
I'm
going
to
unless
my
colleagues
have
any
specific
questions
right
now.
I
wanted
to
go
ahead
and
turn
it
over
to
our
invited
guests
and
stakeholders
so
that
they
can
give
some
feedback
and
thoughts
about
the
budget
amendment
and
then
I
wanted
to
also
answer
some
of
the
questions
or
thoughts
from
my
colleagues
that
I've
gotten
outside
of
this,
but
so
first
I'd
like
to
turn
it
over
to
armani
white
from
ced
center
for
economic
democracy,
armani.
F
Thank
you
for
having
me,
madam
chair,
I'm
happy
to
be
here
this
morning
and
I'm
happy.
This
discussion
is
going
on.
My
name
is
armani
white
and
I'm
the
director
of
campaigns
at
the
center
for
economic
democracy,
I'm
also
a
lifelong
resident
of
boston.
So
this
is
a
very
interesting
conversation
to
be
a
part
of
in
this
moment
in
time.
So
the
center
for
economic
democracy
is
I'm
super
excited
to
be
a
part
of
this
discussion
and
to
be
here
in
support
of
what
is
being
discussed.
F
If
folks,
don't
know
that
an
ad
hoc
group
of
about
25
community
organizations
and
leaders
to
explore
charter
reform
as
an
opportunity
to
understand
some
of
the
powers
and
parameters
of
the
city
of
boston's
governing
charter
and
identify
alternative
structures
and
rules
for
the
city,
and
in
the
midst
of
like
this
global
pandemic
and
this
racial
justice
recording
you
know,
a
lot
of
our
issues
in
the
city
have
been
laid
there
and
long-standing
weaknesses
are
just
yeah.
It's
very
clear.
F
So
this
conversation
about
how
communities
can
have
more
say
in
how
a
3.65
billion
dollar
budget
is
crafted
and
who
money
is
spent
on
and
is
a
timely
and
needed
discussion
and
so
on.
The
heels
right,
like
as
council,
edward
said
of
people
of
all
races,
filling
the
streets
by
the
tens
of
thousands
led
by
black
youth
right
here
from
the
city
demanding
to
the
defunding
of
police
and
investments
in
the
communities.
F
As
you
know,
counselor
flynn
talked
about
so
municipal
charter
reform
has
been
a
you
know,
a
topic
of
interest
since
our
inception
at
the
center
for
economic
democracy,
the
the
center
for
economic
democracy
or
ced.
As
I'll
call,
it
was
founded
to
serve
as
a
vehicle
for
advancing
strategies
that
democratize
the
ways
in
which
we
we
relate
socially
and
financially,
with
the
goal
of
creating
regenerative
community
controlled
economies
that
combat
rich
inequity
and
overcoming
ecological
disaster.
And
so
you
know
just
to
let
you
all
know.
F
Economic
democracy
is
about
people
and
communities
owning
and
deciding
together
how
to
manage
our
collective
needs,
and
you
know,
from
housing
to
food
and
energy,
and
economic
democracy
asserts
that
you
know
we
have
the
power
to
to
dream
and
plan
and
build
a
more
just
sustainable
world
together
for
ourselves
and
for
our
children,
which
is
what
this
discussion
is
about.
So
and
then
the
impetus
behind
our
initial
research
was
about
understanding.
F
Everyone
knows
the
statistic:
the
ratio,
wealth
gap
between
white
and
black
families
is
247
thousand
dollars
to
eight
dollars,
right,
which
is
absurd,
and
so,
if
you
look
across
all
sectors,
racial
disparities
are
are
very
clear
and
it's
something
that
we
can
address
through
this
charter
reform.
By
being
able
to
better
allocate
resources-
and
you
know
right
now
in
boston
and
back
bay
residents
live
33
years
longer.
Their
life
expectancy
is
33
years
longer
than
in
roxbury,
which
is
absurd.
And
so
you
know
what
now
more
than
ever.
F
By
like
organized
money
which
compound
racial
inequity
and
white
supremacy,
which
you
know
you
know
under
the
current
model
and
right
now,
we're
left
to
like
kind
of
contest,
government
decisions
issue
by
issue
campaign
by
campaign
without
a
formal
channel
for
actually
being
able
to
guide
the
monetary
decisions
which
has
kind
of
been
talked
about
here
today
and
so
yeah.
We're
especially
excited
about
participatory
budgeting.
F
Uprising
on
the
side
of
george
floyd's
murder,
the
city
in
the
city,
council
and
activists
are
ongoing
at
a
you
know,
raging
debate
right
now
about
charter
reform
as
a
way
to
to
solve
some
of
the
issues
around
police
accountability
and
how
communities
are
or
not
resourced.
So
you
know
we're
we're
taking
a
national
discussion
on
here
in
boston.
I
think
that's
very
important
for
us
to
recognize
and
to
be
proud
of
and
so
yeah.
F
F
It
would
be
good
to
hear
from
counselors
and
also
other
experts
on
this
if
they
have
thoughts,
but
what
part
and
how
much
of
the
budget
would
actually
be
designated
for
a
participatory
budgeting
process
and
what
model
of
participatory
budgeting
would
you
be
hoping
to
implement
and
how
can
community
support
in
that
process,
including
ced,
of
course,
and
then?
How
do
you
imagine
us
being
involved
in
the
design
process
of
that
and
then
also
a
couple
more?
F
How
does
this
change
allow
for
the
council
to
respond
or
take
into
account
public
feedback
and
time
for
meaningful
body
changes?
Speaking
to
the
somewhat
you
know,
shorter
deadline
of
the
or
the
process
of
the
of
the
budget,
and
then
what
would
the
timeline
of
the
budget
process
actually
look
like
under
this
model,
including
participatory
budgeting
and
and
where,
and
what
is
the
exactly?
Where
exactly
will
the
budget
originate
from?
Is
it
going
to
come
from
any
counselor?
Does
the
council
president
initiate
it?
F
So
these
are
some
of
the
answers.
You
know
some
of
the
questions
and
then
how
does
this
process
actually
allow
community
to
lead
the
process
around
the
budget
in
a
way
where
they,
where
we
feel
empowered
right
understanding
that
the
current
system
is
not
empowering?
So
these
are
some
of
the
questions
we
have
again
really
appreciative
of
of
you,
counseling
edwards,
for
leading
on
this
topic
and
for
all
the
counselors
here
and
support
and
open
to
discussion.
C
C
Armani
though
it's,
I
think
if
the
history
was
important
to
know
that
your
organization
we've
been
meeting
talking
and
trying
to
figure
out
this
question
for
some
time,
and
I
do
think
it
was
worth
noting
a
lot
of
the
historical
push
and
movement,
and
you
also
you
know,
one
of
the
folks
at
the
table
was
chuck
turner
right.
You
forget.
F
C
Yeah,
so
I'm
gonna
turn
over
to
I
I
don't
know
if
peter
or
justin,
if
you
wanted
to
bring
in
some
opinions
about
the
question
proposed
and
the
process,
I
think
something
also
that's
very
important
for
us
is
you
know
we
hear
that
other
cities
have
these
powers
or
that
there's
certain
municipalities
that
kind
of
operate
differently
from
us
that,
I
think,
would
be
very
helpful.
Based
on
your
knowledge
and
understanding.
C
I
think
that
would
be
great
to
to
kind
of
understand
that
as
well
and
in
general,
we've
heard
about
the
history
of
how
we
lost
the
city
council
had
this
power
before
it
was
taken
away
in
1909,
I
believe
to
remove
that
power,
but
I'll
turn
it
over
to
either
one
of
you
who
wants
to
go
first
to
kind
of
bring
in.
I
see
justin
you
and
me:
okay,
go
ahead.
Jefferson.
Q
I'm
an
associate
professor
of
law
and
urban
planning
at
mit
and
a
resident
of
the
city
of
boston,
and
I
wanted
to
start
just
briefly.
I
don't
want
to
go
through
the
history
but
to
highlight
this
larger
question
of
the
city
charter
and
reforming
the
city
charter
that
I
think
this
proposal
begins
to
raise,
because
a
city
charter
is
obviously
the
fundamental
blueprint
of
our
local
democracy
and
the
boston
city
charter.
Q
I
would
argue
as
opaque
and
outdated
as
councillors
arroyo
and
flaherty
and
others
I
believe
suggested,
and
the
charter's
opacity
discourages
the
public
participation
and
citizen
engagement.
It's
the
bedrock
of
our
city
and
its
democracy,
and
it
also
makes
it
difficult
for
the
city
council
to
do
as
councilor
bach
and
others
mentioned
what
what
residents
expect
the
city
council
to
be
able
to
do,
because
so
much
power
remains
with
the
state
and
the
last
formal
revisions
to
the
city
charter
were
made
almost
30
years
ago
and
those
were
very
modest
revisions.
Q
A
number
of
cities
in
massachusetts
have
embarked
upon
charter
reform
processes
to
increase
citizen
engagement
and
local
democracy
in
the
past
five
years,
including
fall
river
and
framingham,
and
charter
reform
in
new
york
city
has
also
been
ongoing.
In
recent
years,
the
mayor
and
the
city
council,
both
created
commissions,
to
examine
potential
revisions
and
new
yorkers,
overwhelmingly
voted
to
pass
ballot
measures
that
would
strengthen
campaign
finance
reform,
improve
new
civic
engagement
measures,
including
a
citywide
participatory
budgeting
program,
and
make
changes
to
the
selection
process
for
neighborhood
community
boards
in
new
york.
Q
So
the
proposal
today
here
seeks
a
public
referendum
to
increase
ways
in
which
the
city,
council
and
the
public
can
participate
in
the
budgetary
process,
and
then
I
believe
that
the
proposal
to
give
the
city
council
more
of
a
role
in
budgeting
would
help
make
the
budgeting
process
more
accessible
to
residents
and
increase
citizens.
Engagement
and
I
appreciate
councilor
baker's
concern
about
responsible
financial
management
of
the
city
and
the
city's
bond
rating,
and
I
agree
that
both
of
those
are
of
the
most
importance.
R
So,
thank
you
very
much
counselor
edwards
both
for
raising
this
issue
and
for
inviting
me
to
share
a
few
thoughts
about
them
and
thank
you
to
all
the
city
councillors.
I
I'm
I'm
really
impressed
by
how
many
of
you
are
participating
in
this
hearing.
This
is
a
really
important
measure
and
it's
very
reassuring
to
see
how
many
of
you
have
made
yourself
available
for
this
hearing
and
thank
you
for
your
attention.
So
just
a
quick
word
about
myself,
then
a
little
bit
of
context.
R
R
The
the
measure
that
that
counselor
edwards
is
proposing
to
change
is
part
of
a
strong
mayor,
weak
counsel
system
that
I
don't.
I
didn't
know
much
about
the
specific
history
of
how
boston
moved
there,
but
the
fact
that
it
was
in
1909
is
quite
characteristic.
This
is
part
of
a
progressive
era-
movement
that
took
place
around
the
country
to
supplant
city
councils
and
legislative
bodies
and
give
greater
power
to
the
executive,
and
it
reflected
a
progressive
era.
R
Concern
that
municipal
governments
should
be
run
more
professionally
in
a
more
business-like
manner,
based
on
sort
of
scientific
understanding
of
what
needed
to
be
done
and
that
characteristic
of
progressive
era.
Thinking-
and
you
know
I
think,
especially
in
in
this
particular
historical
moment-
I
would
be
the
last
person
in
the
world
to
suggest
that
we
shouldn't
rely
on
science
and
good
knowledge
to
make
careful
decisions
where
we
can.
R
But
budgets
are
a
funny
place
to
try
and
think
you
can
do
that,
and
there
isn't
a
scientific
answer
to
how
much
the
city
should
be
spending
on
its
schools.
There
isn't
a
scientific
answer
to
how
much
it
should
be
spending
on
police.
There
isn't
a
scientific
answer
to
how
much
it
should
be:
spending
on
homelessness
prevention
and
other
critical
services.
R
This
is
not
a
comment
specific
to
boston,
but
more
generally,
it's
a
common
pattern
that
executives,
mayors
and
city
managers
are
more
responsive
to
some
of
the
more
establishment
views
in
their
municipality
to
the
business
community,
to
the
bureaucracy
itself
to
well
equipped
advocates
and
legislatures
tend
to
be
more
responsive
to
a
wider
range
of
voices
in
the
community
and
of
groups
that
are
relatively
marginalized
and
again
striking.
That
balance
is,
I
think,
exactly
what
I
hope
you
will
all
be
thinking
about.
R
As
you
approach
the
question
of
the
charter
amendment,
you
know,
I've
been
around
long
enough
that
there
have
certainly
been
times
when
I
would
have
been
quite
uncomfortable,
trusting
the
city
council
to
be
exercising
broad
authority
over
the
budget.
I
guess
it's
also
true
that
there
have
been
times
when
I
had
the
same
feeling
about
the
mayor.
R
So
I
hope
that's
a
little
bit
useful
as
context.
The
one
specific
point
that
I
wanted
to
raise
and
it
it's
a
relatively
minor
one
concerns
the
role
of
the
city
council
and
of
the
mayor
with
regard
to
the
boston,
public
schools,
budget
and,
as
as
I'm
sure,
you
all,
are
very
aware,
section.
75
of
the
charter,
which
concerns
the
the
budget
for
the
public
schools
specifically
says
neither
the
mayor
nor
the
city
council
shall
allocate
appropriations
among
accounts
within
the
school
budget
or
place
any
restriction
on
such
appropriations.
R
That's
the
practice
throughout
the
state
of
massachusetts
that
the
municipal
legislative
bodies
enact
a
budget
with
a
single
line
item
for
the
public
schools,
and
then
it
is
the
responsibility
of
the
school
committee
and
the
school
administration
to
make
all
decisions
about
how
to
allocate
and
utilize
the
amount
of
money
that
was
provided
to
the
public
schools.
And
I
I
don't
think
that
that
the
intention
of
the
proposed
amendment
is
to
alter
that.
But
it
does
specifically
include
in
the
the
things
that
it
gives
to
the
power
of
the
council.
R
Is
the
power
to
amend
the
budget
for
the
boston
public
schools?
This
would
obviously
have
the
effect
that
it
would
empower
the
council
not
only
as
you
presently
can
to
reduce
the
budget
proposed
by
the
mayor
for
the
schools,
but
also
to
increase
it.
That
changes
the
dynamics
in
all
sorts
of
important
and
interesting
ways.
But
I
would
encourage
you
to
be
quite
clear
that
the
intention
is
not
to
intrude
more
deeply
into
the
authority
that
the
school
committee
and
the
school
administration
have
over
what
they
do
with
the
budget
you
provide
to
them.
R
So
I
mean
I,
I
would
propose
just
inserting
a
few
words
after
where
it
says,
amend
the
budget
for
the
boston
public
schools
in
in
counselor.
Edward's
draft
just
insert
the
words
consistent
with
the
provisions
of
section
75
of
this
charter,
which
I
I
think
would
would
I
I
hope,
that's
consistent
with
the
intent.
It
certainly
would
be
consistent
with
the
spirit
of
the
municipal
school
relationship
in
the
city
and
the
relationship,
that's
universal
throughout
the
rest
of
the
commonwealth.
S
A
P
P
P
P
There
are
a
number
of
legal
issues.
We
are
concerned
about
the
stock
utilizes
chapter
43b,
the
mass
general
laws
to
create
an
amendment
to
the
charter.
This
section
of
the
law
is
an
alternative
to
establishing
a
new
charter
and
grants
austin
the
ability
to
make
minor
amendments
to
its
charter
and
not
major
revisions.
P
P
P
The
city's
record
of
success
successful
financial
management
going
back
decades,
as
evidenced
by
consecutive
surpluses,
high
bond
ratings
and
easy
access
to
borrowing
funds,
even
in
difficult
times,
was
made
possible
through
the
current
model
of
budgetary
authority.
That
also
provides
for
checks
and
balances
procedure
that
is
important
to
the
stability
of
the
city.
P
P
Boston's
operating
in
capital
budgets
are
living
documents
that
change
and
are
updated
constantly
throughout
the
fiscal
year.
The
city
council
has
many
opportunities
to
impact
the
policy
goals
and
direction
of
the
city,
as
well
as
establish
a
more
inclusive
or
participatory
process
with
the
public,
for
example,
an
interactive
and
responsive
budgetary
process
to
improve
public
engagement.
P
The
city
could
set
up
hearings
or
the
city
council
could
set
up
hearings
before
the
budget
season
begins,
inviting
the
members
of
our
public
to
provide
input
on
where
they
would
like
to
see
more
city
appropriations
and
considerations
and
tailoring
the
budget
to
cities.
Residents
needs
this
advanced
effort
before
the
formal
budget
process
starts.
That
would
engage
city
councilors
and
the
community
could
better
inform
with
the
counselors
understanding
of
how
to
guide
budget
discussions
with
the
mayor
and
inform
the
mayor
as
well
about
the
community's
needs.
P
P
C
Thanks
all
right,
thank
you
for
your
time
this
morning.
Thank
you
so
much
ma'am.
I
appreciate
that
at
this
time
where
there's
I've
gotten
some
questions
from
texts
from
people,
I've
gotten
some
folks
who
have
to
go,
but
I
I
do
think
unless
there's
someone
from
the
public
who
wants
to
testify,
I
wanted
to
go
ahead
and
answer.
Some
of
the
questions
from
my
colleagues
also
engage
in
the.
C
What
would
the
participatory
budgeting
process
look
like,
and
I
think
that
that's
also
what
our
working
session
should
be
dedicated
to,
but
right
now
I
think
it's
it's
it's
not
sufficient
that
at
the
whim
or
will
or
donative
or
charitable
heart
of
any
mayor
that
we
might
have
participatory
budgeting
or
not.
So
the
fact
that
we,
I
think
it's
great-
that
aaron
tanaka
set
it
up,
but
let's
be
clear:
if
it's
not
put
it
in
the
budget,
it
doesn't
happen.
C
That's
different
than
what
a
charter
amendment
would
do,
which
was
required
that
it
happens,
and
so
what
could
that
look
like?
We
can
either
set
a
certain
sum
or
a
percentage
of
the
budget
that
we,
we
think,
is
themes
like
half
a
percentage
of
each
budget.
You
could
send
I'm
going
to
put
you
on
on
mute,
pam,
real
quick,
but
thank
you,
and
we
can
either
do
that.
This
is
a
general
response
to
everyone.
C
You
can
send
a
percentage
aside
and
then
that
that
is
put
on
as
part
of
the
the
fiscal
election
that
happens
every
other
year,
for
example,
to
say
where
that
money
goes,
you
can
rather
than
spend
additional
funds
for
a
specific
election
or
specific
vote
every
year.
It
might
make
more
sense
to
say
a
certain
percentage
of
the
average
of
the
two
budgets
will
be
then
voted
on
in
a
in
the
next
municipal
election.
C
That
way,
we're
constantly
having
a
a
a
real
turnout,
we're
not
increasing
the
amount
of
money
in
our
electric
debt
elections
department,
but
that
we've
set
a
certain
budget
aside.
We
can
look
at
several
cities
to
see
how
the
specific
question
or
what
is
put
on
the
the
ballot
for
the
participatory
part.
Does
it
go
to
youth?
Does
it
go
to
housing?
Does
it
go
to
general
operating?
We
could
be
as
big
as
we
want.
C
C
I
know
several
of
my
colleagues
already
do
meet
with
people
well
in
advance
of
the
budget.
That
is
that's
not
at
issue
honestly
about
people
being
able
to
talk
with
their
city
counselors
it's
about
people's
counselors
being
able
to
respond
to
what
they
say
directly
in
the
budget
and
that
we
don't
have
that
power.
C
C
C
C
Now
you
may.
We
are
also
constructing
that
question
and
there
are
many
things
and
I
do
appreciate
peter
you
bringing
up
the
fact
that
the
question,
as
posed
conflicts
with
state
law
and
I
think
pam
brought
that
up
as
well.
It
could
flicks
with
state
law
and
conflicts
with
other
parts
of
the
charter
when
it
comes
to
the
school
budget,
and
that
might
be
the
reason
why
we
have
to
change
this
question
and
that
part
can't
be
part
of
it.
C
I
wanted
to
also
address
the
the
question
of
timing,
and
I
think
this
is
something
a
matter
of
scrivener's
error.
I
think
the
boston
municipal
bureau
brought
up
that
at
any
time.
The
city
council
would
be
able
to
propose
a
budget.
It
does
say
that.
But
that
is
not
the
goal
that
any
time
in
the
middle
of
the
year,
we
can
just
come
out
with
a
budget.
C
The
point-
what
is
very
clear
in
this
is
that
the
city
council
can
start
can
look
at,
can
propose
something,
but
no
matter
what
the
mayor
is
going
to
be
the
one
or
by
excuse
me
by
the
second
wednesday
of
april.
There
will
be
a
budget
proposed,
so
whether
I
talk
about
whatever
I
do
by
the
second
wednesday
of
april,
there
will
be
a
budget
proposed
right
and
then
by
the
second
wednesday
in
june.
C
C
I
actually
think
this
is
the
first
time
we're
demanding
that
a
budget
happen,
no
matter
what
and
what
we
have
this
year,
and
what
we
currently
have
is
that
a
budget
could
not
happen.
We
could
go
straight
to
the
112th
provision
that
was
on
the
table
and
you
want
to
talk
about
closed-door
non-trans,
with
no
transparency,
with
lack
of
political,
fiscal
responsibility,
wait
till
we're
going
back
and
forth
on
a
month-to-month
basis,
because
that
is
currently
what's
allowed.
C
C
There's
no
way
a,
but
a
proposed
budget
and
discussion
can't
begin
and
end
under
this
charter
amendment
and
I
think
that's
actually
more
fiscally
responsive.
The
other
thing
is
we
have
approved
in
many
cases
what
the
the
municipal
bureau
and
other
fiscal
watchdogs
have
said
has
been
gluttonous
budgets.
C
Our
ability
to
be
fiscal
stewards
is
also
is
also
part
of
this
budget
amendment
to
say
it's
too
much
to
say
whatever,
and
I
want.
I
want
people
to
understand
that
this
is
not
so
much.
We
want
to
take
away
from
the
mayor,
it's
just.
We
want
a
seat
at
the
table
and,
as
peter
enrich
noted,
we
actually
are
more
reflective
on
the
ground
and
dealing
with
many
different
interests
than
the
mayor.
Any
mayor
can
be
the
legislative
party
and
and
in
I
think,
in
robust
democracies.
The
legislative
branch
does
control
the
purse.
Now.
C
The
way
we
are
allocating
funds
is
not
working.
Yes,
we
have
a
robust
budget.
Yes,
we
have
a
good
economy
and
yes,
I
cannot
deny
that
it's
probably
far
away
far
better
than
what
we've
had
before,
but
let's
be
clear
for
a
lot
of
bostonians
that
reality
is
not
true.
There
is
a
fiscal
success
for
them.
C
So
all
of
these
things,
I
still
think
lead
back
to
one.
Should
the
voters
have
a
voice
about
how
their
money
is
allocated,
and
I
think
yes,
and
even
if
that
voice
is
no,
we
don't
think
you're
this
this
question
or
this
city
council
is
the
right
way
to
do
it.
I
still
think
we
are
a
better
democracy
for
at
least
asking
them
to
be
at
the
table.
C
What
homeworld
petitions
don't
do
homo
petitions
go
straight
to
the
state
house
and
ask
people
from
scituate:
ask
representatives
from
brockton
ask
representatives
from
springfield
what
they
think
we
should
do,
I'm
tired
of
doing
that.
That
is
why
I
wanted
this
to
go
directly
to
the
people
of
boston
in
this
valid
initiative.
C
So
I
I
think
I've
addressed
most
of
the
concerns
expressed
and
again.
I'm
also
I
want
to
be
clear.
I
am
in
in
talks
with
the
administration,
because
I
do
think
there
might
be
some
things
that
they
are
okay
with
or
are
fine
with
the
electorate
saying
or
at
least
giving
the
electorate
a
decision,
and
I
think
that's
really
what
the
goal
of
this
conversation
is
too.
C
Is
there
anything
or
any
power,
I
guess
from
the
either
municipal
research,
bureau
or
other
organizations
if
you
are
or
other
counselors
who
are
skeptical
of
this,
is
there
anything
that
you
think
that
we
should
consider
that
should
be
put
on
the
ballot
for
voters
to
get
voters
to
have
a
power
or
decision
about?
I
think
I'm
leaning
towards
democracy.
What
this
question
is
not
is
again,
is
it
just
a
draft
right
now?
It's
not
going
to
be
the
final
thing,
but
I
do
think
it's
worth
us
asking
the
voters
what
they
think.
H
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
I
just
wanted
to
follow
on
your
comments
to
say
no,
I
appreciate
the
research
bureau's
concerns
and
but
I
think
to
your
point
that
there
are
ways
of
meeting
the
some
of
them
right
and
still
putting
a
question
on
the
ballot
and-
and
I
think
you
know
both
both
pam
and
also
councillor
wu
made.
The
point
that
you
know
change
shouldn't,
wait
on
a
charter
amendment
and
I
think,
as
I
referenced
at
the
start,
we've
got
a
hearing
order.
H
We're
going
to
consider
in
the
fall
about
participatory
budgeting
and
counselor.
Mejia
and
braden
are
co-sponsors
with
me
of
that,
and,
and
also
one
about
zero-based,
budgeting
and
just
sort
of
in
general,
trying
to
open
up
the
process
and
counselors
arroyo,
and
here
are
sponsors
with
me
on
that,
and
I
do
think
that
to
pam's
point,
there
is
an
opportunity
for
us
to
have
a
public
process
that
comes
before
the
sort
of
regular
budget
process
and
and
make
space
for
those
voices.
H
But
I
think
that,
on
the
point
of
democratic
accountability,
that
it's
really
different
to
say
to
members
of
the
public,
you
can
come
speak
and
we'll
listen
and
say
to
members
of
the
public.
You
know
you,
you
can
come
speak
and
there
will
be
an
actual
mechanism
for
what
you
say
and
how
you
weigh
in
to
actually
affect
the
process,
and
you
can
understand
that
and
you
can
feel
like.
H
But
I
think
again
that
there's
there's
not
there's
not
enough
real
procedural
leverage
there
and
so
you're
gonna
see
very
variable
outcomes
on
that
front
and
to
me
in
terms
of
the
point
about
predictability
and
the
bond
rating,
I
mean
I
would
just
say.
I
think
I
think
that
there
are
numerous
different
city
charters
around
the
state
around
the
country.
H
That
still
achieve
the
kind
of
predictability
that
you
need
for
the
bond
rating
and
for
the
sort
of
fiscal
health
of
the
city
while
offering
a
more
participatory
model.
So
I
I'm
sympathetic
to
the
idea
that
we
might
want
to
think
about
scheduling,
as
we
think
about
you
know,
refining
this
this
proposal.
H
I
think
that,
obviously,
the
balanced
budget
requirements
on
the
city
would
hold,
regardless
of
how
we
redistributed
the
council
on
mayoral
power,
and
I
think
there
is
a
judicious
way
to
do
this.
That
brings
more
voices
into
our
budgeting
process
and
still
achieves
enough
predictability
and
fiscal
responsibility.
H
To
be
something
that
I
hope
that
the
research
bureau
could
come
not
to
oppose.
So
I
look
forward
to
this
continuing
conversation
and
I
I
appreciate
those
those
concerns,
but
I
think
there's
a
a
way
of
achieving
them
and
achieving
some
of
the
broader
goals
that
others
have
discussed
today.
So
thank
you,
madam
chair.
A
C
You
and
no
I
just
I
just
want
to
be
clear.
I
the
reason
why
we
invited
the
boston
municipal
research
bureau
is
to
provide
the
opinion
that
they
did,
and
I
want
to
be
clear
that
that's
a
good
thing
and
I
believe
that
they
represent
a
lot
of
people
as
well.
In
terms
of
that
those
those
particular
concerns
and
looking
at
it.
So
I
want
to
be
clear.
Thank
you,
pam,
for
coming,
if
you've
felt
anything
else
apologize.
If
you
did
counselor
campbell.
K
E
K
K
Everyone
would
feel
that
prosperity
and
we
know
that
there
are
certain
neighborhoods
in
the
city
that
do
not
even
after
they
are
advocating
and
participating
as
fully
as
they
can,
and
so
I
I
just
wanted
to
push
back
on
the
comment
or
suggestion
that
we
need
to
do
that.
We
are
doing
that
and
I
think,
if
anything,
people
don't
necessarily
see
that,
but
it's
a
large
part
of
our
job-
and
I
don't
know
about
others.
You
know
especially,
and
maybe
justin
will
understand
this.
K
It
will
always
be
difficult
to
deliver
on,
not
just
not
the
desires,
the
needs
that
people
have
in
certain
communities
in
the
city
of
boston-
and
this
is
just
one
way
I
mean
many
of
us-
are
very
creative.
We
all
we
look
outside
the
city
budget,
for
resources
to
to
to
make
sure
that
we
can
meet
our
district
residents
needs.
K
K
Otherwise,
we
will
never
get
at
equity
because
it
will
be
about
who
you
know
who
you're
connected
with,
and
we
try
to
make
that
work
as
best
we
can
within
the
existing
system.
But
I
think
we
all
need
to
be
mindful
that
if
we
continue
down
this
pathway
and
other
cities
just
offer
examples,
it's
not
necessarily
what
we
should
adopt
entirely
here.
K
But
if
we
continue
down
this
pathway
that
we're
going,
we
will
be
talking
about
the
same
inequities
in
the
same
neighborhoods
for
years
to
come,
regardless
of
the
advocacy
of
the
counselor
who
serves-
and
I
think
all
of
us
serve
our
districts
extremely
well.
We
have
hard
jobs,
and
so
I
hope
to
to
take
this
conversation
on
the
road
to
continue
to
participate.
K
We've
already
received
feedback
where
folks,
like
I
don't
know
about
this,
and
to
make
it
as
open
as
possible,
where
it's
not
just
those
who
call
themselves
advocates
participating,
but
the
lay
citizen
lay
person
getting
a
glimpse
of
what
happens
inside
and
how
they
can
work
with
us
to
transform
the
system
accordingly.
So
I
just
wanted
to
offer
those
comments
and
and
continue
the
conversation
on
the
details
with
respect
to
what's
proposed.
J
J
J
We
haven't
done
it
yet,
and
I
wasn't
alive
when
this
happened
in
the
early
1900s,
and
so
I
can't
speak
to
whether
or
not
you
know
the
city
council
process
would
be
perfect
if
it
changed
to
a
budget
process
that
the
city
council
had
sway
over.
But
what
I
can
speak
to
is
that
this
budget
process
has
created
those
inequities.
This
budget
process
has
created
that
crisis,
and
so
when
we
talk
about,
you
know
the
status
quo
and
whether
or
not
it's
worth
protecting.
J
In
my
opinion,
it's
not,
and
so
the
question
becomes
what's
the
best
way
to
craft
this.
That
brings
it
to
the
people
that
makes
it
truly
participatory
that
invites
engagement
and
in
the,
and
this
is
really
important
on
the
engagement
part.
You
know
I've
had
these
conversations.
I've
seen
these
conversations,
I'm
the
third
person
in
my
family
on
this
council.
So
it's
not
like
I'm
new
to
being
around
budget
conversations.
J
The
reality
is
it's
very
difficult
to
be
engaged
when
your
counselor,
who
you
are
trying
to
speak
to
can't
create
a
line
item,
can't
actually
decrease
or
increase.
Any
individual
line
item
can't
actually
create
the
budget.
It
doesn't
invite
participation,
it
doesn't
invite
buy-in.
It
doesn't
invite
engagement.
What
it
invites
is
checking
out
frankly
of
the
system,
and
so
when
we
talk
about
you
know
just
how
this
would
work
and
how
this
has
to
be
done.
J
S
Yes,
I'm
having
a
little
bit
of
technical
difficulties.
Can
you
just
confirm
you
can
hear
me
and
see
me
great?
Thank
you.
I
I
I
also
have
to
just
quickly
push
back.
I
think
it
was
on
pam
or
the
research
bureau
in
terms
of
of
of
whether
or
not.
This
is
something
that
we
should
be
pursuing
at
this
moment
in
time.
I
think,
if
any
moment
in
time
for
us
to
pursue
it,
it
is
now
as
the
freshman
coupler.
S
S
A
S
S
C
L
Q
L
R
L
R
I
think
that
was
a
mistake
in
1909
as
much
as
it's
a
mistake
today
that
what's
important
in
governmental
processes,
and
especially
in
governmental
budgeting
processes,
is
to
find
an
appropriate
balance
between
letting
the
voices
of
the
people
who
elect
all
of
you
have
their
input
into
the
process
having
some
central
management
to
ensure
that
some
of
the
concerns
the
municipal
research
bureau
has
stood
up
for
so
effectively.
For
so
many
years
are
reflected,
but
finding
the
right
balance
between
executive
and
legislative
roles
that
do
play
very
different
parts.
R
I
did
not
mean
any
criticism
of
the
current
mayor,
who,
I
think
in
many
ways
has
been
admirable.
I
do
think
that
the
inevitable
nature
of
being
in
the
mayor's
office
is
the
voices
you
tend
to
hear.
Most
prominently
do
shift
and
they
shift
from
who
you
heard
most
prominently
before
you
were
became
mayor.
That's
an
institutional
factor,
that's
not
a
factor
about,
and
it's
not
a
criticism
of
any
particular
mayor.
It's
a
reflection
of,
I
think,
some
realities
of
how
governance
processes
work
that
are
worth
your
thinking
seriously
about.
L
Really
never
mind
I'll
move
on
justin.
So
when
you're
doing
your
research,
you
look
at.
We
look
at
american
cities
and
I
want
I
want,
and
I
want
their
bond
ratings
next
them,
where
they
are
participatory
american
cities
that
are
comparable
to
boston
and
where
they
are
in
their
pension
pension.
Solvency
and
things
like
that.
L
L
Can
you
can
get
that
over
the
chair
and
I'll
and
I'll
work
with
the
chair?
Again,
people
are
downplaying
relationships
like
relationships
or
bad
things.
We
as
elected
officials
in
the
city
of
boston,
it's
incumbent
on
us
to
form
relationships
with
department
heads
with
people
in
the
departments.
So
they
know
so
you
know
what
the
departments
need.
I
think
we're
downplaying
the
importance
of
relationships
in
the
city
within
the
city.
The
departments
know
what
the
departments
are
doing.
C
L
L
Yes,
very
yeah,
quick
point,
big
concern
of
mine,
one
of
the
councils
talked
about
not
regular
people
involved
in
this.
In
this
budget.
It's
not
going
to
be
regular
people.
It's
going
to
be
again
paid
advocates,
making
the
loudest
noise
people
that
are
paid
there
paid
advocates
they're,
not
the
citizens
of
boston,
they're,
not
they're,
not
worried
about
their
household
they're,
worried
about
their
vision
and
their
issues
advocates.
S
Yes,
just
really
quick,
thank
you,
sorry
for
the
technical
difficulties,
but
just
wanted
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
my
journey
on
the
budget
season
this
past
cycle-
and
you
know
I
understand
the
importance
of
building
relationships,
but
when,
as
someone
who
only
won
by
one
vote,
I
know
that
those
relationships
for
me
inside
that
hall
were
very
difficult
to
come
by
and
so
not
everybody
is
willing
to
open
up
their
offices
and
sit
and
talk
with
you.
So
if.
A
S
S
So
I
just
really
want
to
be
super
mindful
that
right
now,
the
way
we
play
politics
we're
playing
with
with
people's
lives
every
single
day,
and
I
think
that
if
this
is
the
moment
for
us
to
really
change,
this
is
not
the
70s
anymore.
Okay,
I
think
that
we,
and
also
also
having
to
go,
ask
permission
to
your
dad
to
see
how
you're
going
to
be
able
to
spend
all
your
money
or
going
to
the
state
house
for
the
whole
new
position.
All
of
this
needs
to
change.
I
We
want
to
repair
those
breaks
and
you
know
redesign
a
much
better
system
and
you
know
we
talk
a
lot
about
systems
and
access
to
systems
and
systems
that
work
and
function
for
the
residents
in
our
constituencies
across
across
the
city
of
boston.
So
I
have
appreciated
sort
of
the
back
and
forth
and
it's
been,
I
find
it
very
informative.
I
am
curious
if
we
have
any
sort
of
general
more
typical,
traditional
public
testimony
before
us
this
afternoon
or
still
this
morning
prior
to
the
end
of
that
two
hours.
I
C
Thank
you.
I
don't
think
we
have
any
traditional
public
testimony
for
those
just
to
let
people
know
in
terms
of
the
next
step.
Well,
we're
going
to
make
sure
the
working
session
and
or
sessions
about
this
are
in
the
evening
time
to
allow
for
more
folks
to
come
during
and
after
work,
but
I
so
I
acknowledge
that.
That's
probably
what
has
impacted
some
of
the
initial
public
participation
and
I
acknowledge
counselor
mejia
your
thoughts
that
sometimes
it's
so
wonky
or
so
not
clear
about.
C
H
J
B
H
C
Thank
you
and
I
want
to
be
very
clear.
You
know
we
can.
We
can
agree
that
voters
should
have
a
voice
and
then
completely
agree,
disagree
and
vote
against
this.
So
this
the
the
the
back
and
forth-
and
I'm
not
just
from
my
colleagues
but
also
in
the
public
they're
like
I'm
against
this.
I
don't
want
this
and
so
on
and
so
forth.
That's
that's
perfectly
fine
and
it's
also
an
option
to
say
so.
C
On
the
ballot
I
mean
it
could
very
well
lose
if,
if
this
doesn't
work
out,
I
want
to
be
clear
about
that
so,
and
I
think
one
of
the
things
I
want
to
also
demonstrate
is,
we
can
agree,
disagree
and
be
cordial
towards
each
other
in
a
respectful
manner.
While
we
disagree
and
have
our
reasons-
and
that's
also,
I
thought
this
was
also
a
very
organized
way
to
do
that
as
well.
That
doesn't
just
allow
us
to
vote
on
something
and
send
it
up
to
the
state
house
or
just
vote
on
something
one
time.
C
This
is
going
to
require
people
to
do
the
work.
It's
going
to
take
not
only
forming
the
question,
but
almost
a
year
of
that
question
being
if,
if
approved
by
the
attorney
general,
it's
going
to
take
a
year
of
people
having
conversations
about
this
in
order
for
folks
to
agree
or
disagree
with
it
ultimately
in
november.
So
there's
several
shots
not
just
for
opponents,
but
even
proponents
to
have
robust
conversations.
This
is
not
an
all
or
nothing
moment
at
all
in
terms
of
the
formation
of
the
ballot.
C
I
just
wanted
to
summarize
some
of
the
I
think
great
suggestions
and
concerns
about
what
we
need
to
be
doing
in
order
for
my
colleagues
or
for
anyone
in
the
public
to
think
that
there's
a
question
that
can
go
one.
I
do
want
to
acknowledge
how
creative
my
colleagues
and
myself
have
been
with
leveraging
and
getting
funding
in
our
districts.
C
For
those
of
us,
like
myself
and
perhaps
counselor
flynn,
and
perhaps
counselor
bach,
who
have
development
and
large
real
estate
deals
going
on
I'm
in
a
position
to
negotiate
directly
with
those
developers
for
my
district
right,
but
not
all
districts
have
the
same
kind
of
economic
prosperity
at
the
same
time.
So
again,
my
creativity
may
not
work
in
other
places
where
some
of
my
counselors
are.
Some
of
my
colleagues
are
relying
on
non-profits
relying
on
corporate
charity
and
all
of
these
different
things.
C
So
so
we
are
trying
our
best,
and
I
I
think
that
in
no
way,
shape
or
form
is,
is
pam
saying
we're
not,
but
I
just
want
to
note
that
we
are
trying
our
best
at
being
creative
to
help
leverage
and
to
get
and
to
talk
with
the
mayor
and
talk
with
department
heads
as
well.
That
is,
I
agree
with
council
baker.
That
is
exactly
what
we
are
elected
to
do.
C
None
of
this
would
take
that
away.
None
of
this
would
take
away
the
wonderful
work
of
the
youth
connect.
None
of
this
takes
away
all
of
the
things
that
we're
doing
to
try
and
bring
as
many
people
into
the
city,
council
and
process.
This
is
not
an
either
or
this
is
an
addition
to
so
that's
one
thing.
C
C
Finally,
I
in
terms
of
the
actual
budget
language,
I
will
absolutely,
I
think,
it's
worth
putting
on
the
table
or
really
questioning
if
the
public
schools,
com
area
and
that
language
is
it
conflicts
too
much
right
with
either
the
state
statute
or
with
the
other
parts
of
the
charter.
So
either
we're
going
to
change
the
other
parts
of
the
chatter
and
send
up
a
home
rule
petition,
which
I
believe
you
would
have
to
do
for
the
state
statute
or
we
might.
This
might
not
be
appropriate
vehicle
to
look
at
that.
That's
one
thing.
M
C
So
if,
in
anything,
it's
it's
maintaining
the
same
power
structure,
the
mayor
points
the
school
budget,
many
people
and
they
come
out
with
a
budget
that
we
can't
touch.
So
I
just
want
to
note
the
the
irony
about
that.
I
do
think
there
is
there's.
We
need
to
view
a
budget
question
with
the
eyes
of
a
fiscal
steward,
and
so
assuming
that
a
question
should
be
on
the
ballot.
So
if
we
can
get
over
the
hump
that
it
should
go
to
the
people,
what
does
a
fiscally
responsible
question?
Look
like?
C
M
C
C
I
believe
our
neighbor
cambridge
is
an
example
of
a
city
that
has
it
they
set
aside
a
certain
amount
of
money
and
they
straight
vote
out
vote
on
it,
I
think,
even
online
for
where
certain
funds,
but
they
again
they
cap
how
much
those
funds
are,
and
they
make
that
clear,
what's
available
and
how
to
vote
what
it
you
know
to
vote
for.
So
I
think
we
can
look
at
that
model,
maybe
streamline
it.
C
It
could
also
be
dependent
on
certain
fiscal
successes
or
certain
budgetary
benchmarks
that
we
have
provided
that
we
can
pay
for
all
of
our
operating
experience
operations
and
their
no
layoffs,
provided
that
we
can
pay.
For.
I
don't
know
our
schools
fully
fund
ours
provided
the
following
things:
we
shall
put
x
percentage
of
the
budget
for
up
for
grabs.
This
is
again
just
suggestions,
I'm
putting
out
there
for
the
working
session
and
then
I'd
love
to
hear,
of
course,
your
thoughts
from
the
municipal
euro.
I
see
you
councilor
braden.
C
You
raised
your
hand,
but
also
thoughts
from
ced
about
how
to
make
sure
that
we're
constructing
the
right
kind
of
participatory
budget
that
does
as
peter
said,
balances
those
interests
that
we
have
to
be
effective
and
to
also
increase
participation.
Those
are
two
interests
they
do
not
need
to
be
in
conflict.
C
Finally,
I
do
I'm
actually
hearing
a
lot
of,
I
think,
very
good
feedback
about
originating
the
budget
in
that
particular
power
and
when
I
learned
from
the
administration
and
there's
25
full-time
people
dedicated
to
that,
and
and
what
kind
of
is
it
fiscally
responsible?
If
we
were
to
do
that,
we
might
have
to
hire
staff
in
the
city
council,
so
so
for
the
money
that
we
would
be
spending.
Does
that
counter
the
amount
of
money
that
we
would
be
working
or
trying
to
allocate?
C
If
we're
generating
our
own
budget,
that's
a
good
question
and
you
know
I
look
forward
to
hearing
from
my
colleagues
about
that.
If
that's
something
they're
interested
in
at
all,
so
those
are
those
are
my
thoughts
about
where
the
changes
and
edits
should
start.
I'm
going
to
turn
this
over
to
counselor
braden.
E
Thank
you.
I
I
think
I
and
that
that
point
about
the
administration
having
25
full-time
staff
too
dedicated
to
developing
the
budget.
You
know
and
that
doesn't
preclude
a
more
a
more
collaborative
process
in
developing
a
budget
together
with
the
city
council,
so
it
doesn't
necessarily
mean
I
mean
we
have
to
duplicate
staff.
We
we
could
maybe
have
some
staff,
but
it
doesn't
really
like
the
collaborative
process.
The
one
thing
I'm
unclear
about
is
how
this
change
in
the
city
charter
will
affect
our
this.
E
This
experience
we
have
of
when
we
have
a
home
rule
petition
that
we
have
to
go
with
our
cap
in
hand
to
the
state
house
and
ask
for
approval
for
things
that
impact
the
fiscal,
our
ability
to
raise
revenue
or
whatever
in
the
city.
Just
will
this
change
in
this
charter?
Change
that
or
move
make,
make
a
change
in
that
situation.
E
C
If
I
may
peter
and
justin,
I
believe
that
we're
actually
precluded
from
through
a
charter
amendment
in
this
particular
process
of
of
of
changing
the
structure
of
our
government,
of
raising
revenue
of
doing
term
limits.
Those
things
are
actually
specifically
reserved
for
the
home
rule
process,
which
again
I
could
we
could
argue
all
day
about
why
that
is
wrong.
But
those
are
specifically
reserved
in
the
home
rule
amendment
and
in
section
10
for
the
state
house.
This
does
not
change
that
our
ability
to
raise
revenue.
C
E
C
F
Yeah
I
I
can
just
share,
I
can
share
quickly.
I
know
that
we
finish
pretty
soon,
but
at
ced.
This
is
something
that
we're
super
excited
about.
We're
gonna
work
with.
You
know
justin,
steele
and
peter
to
think
through
how
to
answer
the
questions
that
counselor
baker
proposed.
But
there
are
examples
of
how
this
work.
F
There
are
ways
to
to
do
this
and
to
do
it
in
a
way
that
ensure
that
community
first,
like
feels
bought
in
and
part
of
the
process,
but
also
that
it
solves
the
it
solves
for
the
issue
at
him,
which
is
like
lack
of
community
feeling,
a
part
of
the
the
the
process
so
and
also
just
redistributing
resources
appropriately
and
making
sure
that
everyone
has
a
opportunity
to
help
make
that
happen.
So
sorry,
I
just
had
a
little
reminder
pop
up.
F
Don't
know
if
my
screen
went
away
yeah
but
yeah,
so
we're
excited
to
help
with
it.
There's
organizations
that
are
doing
that.
Thinking
about
this,
like
families
for
justice,
healing
there's
organizations
that
have
been
a
part
of
this
discussion
like
the
chinese
progressive
association
organizations
that
are
very
connected
to
people
who
are
going
to
be,
you
know
the
ones
that
we're
answering
to
the
constituents.
F
So
we're
excited
for
this
conversation
and
again
just
happy
that
we
are
able
to
discuss
it
and
get
charity
and
looking
forward
to
more
working
sessions
and
looking
forward
to
just
expanding
democracy
here
in
city,
boston.
Let's,
let's
be
leaders
you
know
just
because
maybe
we
don't
have
as
many
examples
of
this
happening
doesn't
mean
we
can't
lead
the
way.
So,
let's
do
it.
R
P
H
Just
thank
you
again,
madam
chair
and
say
I
definitely
will
hope
to
continue
to
be
actively
involved
in
the
sort
of
drafting
and
redrafting
and-
and
I
I
just
I
really.
I
really
think
that
there
is
a
way
here
for
us
to
have
a
charter
amendment
that
mirrors
more
closely
the
the
really
justified
expectations
and
aspirations
of
the
citizens
of
boston
around
their
ability
to
really
impact
the
city
budget
process.
And
I
I
don't
think
that
that
needs
to
be
an
enemy
of
fiscal
responsibility
and
prudence.
H
J
C
Know
if
you
had
anything
else,
you
wanted
to
add
up
council
for
amaze
stepped
away,
sorry
to
spot
you
well,
I
will
just
simply
say
thank
you
all.
I
will
try
my
best
to
get
up
the
we
are
on
a
timeline
which
puts
us
at
about
no
no
later
than
six
months.
We
have
to
make
a
decision,
so
I'm
I'm,
I
think,
we'll
be
able
to
make
a
decision
before
six
months,
but
I
do
think
that
we
can
do
this.
C
C
C
I
think,
if
at
anything
that
should
be
the
guiding
principle
for
any
elected
official
is
that
their
voters
and
the
electorate
should
make
that
decision,
and
we,
as
elected
officials,
will
make
our
arguments
to
our
constituents
as
to
where
we
think
they
should
go,
which
is
what
we
do
anyway,
but
ultimately
I
think
that
they
could
do.
We
would
be
better
and
more
democratic
if
we
put
this
up
there
to
our
voters.
So
thank
you
so
much
everyone.