The Boston City Council's Ways & Means Committee convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing on labor compliance and worker protections. The meeting highlighted significant challenges faced by the Law Department, particularly regarding public records requests and ongoing litigation.

During the session, a council member inquired about the number of pending lawsuits, initially estimated at over 2,000. However, it was clarified that the actual figure is closer to 300. This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate data in managing legal resources effectively.

The discussion then shifted to the volume of public records requests, which totaled approximately 8,000. These requests can originate from various sources, including individuals and organizations, and require substantial effort to process. The Law Department acknowledged that handling such a high volume could hinder their ability to focus on other critical issues.

In response to these challenges, the Law Department announced plans to reorganize its public records management. Non-attorney staff will be moved under the Commissioner of City Records to streamline the process and improve efficiency. This restructuring aims to separate transactional work from legal responsibilities, allowing the department to better manage the workload associated with public records requests.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to enhance the department's operational capacity, ensuring that both legal and transactional tasks are handled more effectively in the upcoming fiscal year. The council emphasized the need for ongoing support and resources to address these pressing issues.