Boston city councilors Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn decided to reschedule a hearing on the extension of free museum passes for Boston Public Schools families after key invitees from the Wu administration did not attend. The hearing was initially meant to discuss the program’s expansion to all city schoolchildren, a move that Mayor Michelle Wu had already announced. The focus shifted to funding the program moving forward, with the councilors wanting to ensure a robust financial plan to support the initiative.
Murphy expressed appreciation for the mayor’s commitment to expanding the program but stressed the importance of having key administration officials present to address financial questions. However, the invited officials did not attend the hearing, prompting a recess and ultimately the decision to reschedule the hearing to accommodate their presence.
Mayor Wu’s office stated that the program has cost $944,000 since its launch, with funding coming from a mix of city, philanthropic, and corporate sources. The future funding of the program will involve discussions with cultural institutions participating in the initiative, as well as potential contributions to the city’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program.
While no specific annual budget estimate for the program was provided, the mayor’s office indicated that more details on its further expansion would be forthcoming. The rescheduled hearing aims to address financial sustainability and support for the free museum access program for Boston schoolchildren.
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