City Council Passes Budget, 12-1

Despite public concern about the school assignment policy and busing, the passed a $2.4-billion city budget Wednesday afternoon with a 12-1 vote.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has already signed the budget, which goes into effect on July 1 for the coming fiscal year.

District 4 Councilor Charles Yancey was the sole vote against it.

The Council routinely rejected Menino's proposed budget back in April, and has he past three months dissecting costs and services.

The approved budget added more money for education transportation and special education. At-Large Councilor John Connolly applauded the 13 hearings and 34 hours of work that made that happen.

"I don't care if I get elected, as long as I know my child has a good spot in a quality school," he said. "Right now, that doesn't happen for every child. I will vote for this school budget because I believe we are moving in the right direction."

District 9 Councilor Mark Ciommo said, "I think it makes the best of the financial resources we have at this time."

Yancey, however, said his no-vote was because money is continually sucked away from the school system.

"I am not happy with this budget," he said. "My concerns are about the schools and community centers. Year after year, the department that takes the biggest hits is the school department. Since 2009, 700 positions have been taken away from the BPS. They're asking us to take a disproportionate hit against teachers." 

At-Large Councilor Ayanna Pressley voiced the internal conflict of the council.

"We've all had to learn to do more with less," she said. "There is not one person who cannot think of 20 programs they would like to give money. This budget is as good as a bad budget can be. At the end of the day, Boston is on a far more sure economic footing than most cities."