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Council hearing spotlights proposed FY27 cuts to equity offices as community groups warn of immediate harm
Summary
At a May 12 Ways & Means hearing, city equity and inclusion offices described services and pilots while councilors and dozens of public speakers pressed to restore steep proposed cuts to community grants and contracted services that support immigrant, language-access, disability and LGBTQ programs.
Boston City Council Committee on Ways & Means Chair Ben Weber opened a May 12 hearing on FY2027 budgets for equity and inclusion offices and invited panelists from the mayor's cabinet to present program results and explain proposed changes.
Courtney White, interim director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement, told the committee her office recently completed a community survey of "744 immigrant and refugee Bostonians" and highlighted programs that included citizenship assistance and a summer youth initiative projected to serve about 500 young people across 33 partner sites. "We've provided 797 individuals with free immigration consultations" and the office said participatory budgeting added $400,000 for youth and people at heightened risk of detention and deportation.
Jennifer Vivera Wong, director of the Office of Language and Communication Access, presented data showing the city has spent "over $741,000 on fulfilling accommodations" this fiscal year and described pilots of TranslateLive…
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