Boston City Council budget panel takes in sweeping FY24 amendment proposals

BOSTON — June 1, 2023 — Boston City Council budget committee collects sweeping FY24 amendment proposals totaling tens of millions of dollars. Chair Liz Breadon convened a Ways and Means working session Thursday and told colleagues she would refuse no amendment, pledging to consolidate duplicates and present all proposals on the floor. Council President Edward M. Flynn said his office was still finalizing one amendment and received a Friday deadline to submit. Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata proposed nine district-specific items including $300,000 for public works staffing and $250,000 for parking system digitization. Councilor Brian Worrell put forward $400,000 in senior transportation vouchers, $1 million in BPS tuition assistance, and $300,000 for maternal health devices. A third councilor proposed $2.6 million for a full alternative mental health response program through the Boston Public Health Commission, $880,000 for an LGBTQ housing grant fund, and $1.5 million to implement the Franklin Park plan — with all amendments due by Friday, June 2.