What readers say Boston Mayor Michelle Wu should prioritize in her next term

"As Mayor Michelle Wu prepares to begin her second term leading the city of Boston, readers have made it clear what they hope she'll focus on first: making the city more affordable and keeping its residents safe. In an informal Boston.com poll asking readers what issues they want the mayor to prioritize, nearly 80 people responded. Housing affordability and public safety emerged as the top concerns, capturing a combined 49% of responses. Over a quarter of readers who voted "Other" shared woes that ran the gamut from stopping police corruption to getting rid of bike lanes and reversing academic decline."

"Many readers expressed frustration about the cost of living in Boston, urging Wu to focus on immediate, tangible solutions. "Promises about housing affordability are meaningless; we need lasting solutions immediately," said Steph of South Boston. Some readers pointed to specific policy actions Wu could take to ease the pressure on renters and homebuyers alike. "There are many things we can do to lower rent like changing zoning laws, supporting affordable housing development, increasing rent assistance programs, etc. The people of Boston should not have to pay so much money to live here," said Carol of Quincy."

"Public safety was another top priority, with several readers saying that despite Wu's promises to make Boston a city where everyone feels secure, they don't currently feel that way. "She says we should all feel safe. We don't currently feel that way," wrote Tom S. of Braintree. As Wu enters her second term, she faces high expectations from residents eager to see progress on both affordability and safety - two challenges that have defined her first years in office."

An informal poll of nearly 80 Boston readers showed housing affordability and public safety accounted for a combined 49% of responses. Over a quarter of those choosing Other mentioned issues from stopping police corruption to removing bike lanes and addressing academic decline. Many readers urged immediate, tangible housing solutions and cited policy options such as zoning changes, affordable housing development, and expanded rent assistance. Several readers said they do not currently feel safe despite promises to improve security. High expectations accompany the start of the mayor's second term to address both affordability and safety challenges.

Read at Boston.com