City Council Committee of the Whole Convenes to Review Public Safety and Education Funding

City Council Committee of the Whole Convenes for Budgetary Reviews

The Boston City Council is scheduled to hold a Committee of the Whole meeting today, Friday, January 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The virtual session follows a busy week of legislative activity and is expected to focus on several high-priority supplemental appropriations recently introduced by Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration. These measures are critical for fulfilling collective bargaining obligations and ensuring the continued operation of essential city services.

Primary items on the legislative radar include Docket #0124 and #0125, which propose a supplemental appropriation of approximately $18.1 million for the Boston Fire Department. This funding is designated to cover cost increases associated with the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718. Additionally, the committee is reviewing Docket #0127, which seeks to provide over $1.3 million in funding for Boston Public Schools to cover contract increases for the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors.

Mayor’s Office Hosts Neighborhood Engagement Sessions

While the City Council meets virtually, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services is actively engaging with residents through a series of local coffee hours held throughout the day. These sessions provide a direct line for community members to discuss neighborhood-specific concerns with city liaisons. Today’s scheduled coffee hours include:

• Allston-Brighton: Hosted by liaison Jennifer Roberts.
• Hyde Park: Hosted by liaison Zoë Petty.
• Roslindale: Hosted by liaison Joshua McCorkle.
• Mattapan: Hosted by liaison Asiah Wotring.
• Jamaica Plain: Hosted by liaison Caroline Peters.
• South End and Bay Village: Hosted by liaison Sarah Sharpe.

Civic Context: National Shutdown Protests

The city's political landscape today is also marked by scheduled civic demonstrations. Boston is among several major U.S. cities participating in the "National Shutdown" protests. These events, organized as a general strike and series of walkouts, are aimed at federal immigration policies and Department of Homeland Security funding. While City Hall remains open for standard business from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., residents should be aware of potential transit delays in the downtown area due to these planned activities.

The Committee of the Whole meeting will be broadcast live via the City’s official website and cable channels, allowing the public to monitor the council's progress on these significant fiscal decisions before the next full legislative session.