Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's Canadian trip has come with a hefty price tag. The city spent over $11,000 in taxpayer dollars on the three-day excursion, which included flights, hotel rooms, and police security.
Wu traveled to Nova Scotia with her family and staff, including two police officers who provided security for the mayor. Her husband and children were not covered by public funds, although they did stay in a hotel room that was shared with Wu. The Fund for Parks and Recreation in Boston paid for Interim Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse's travel expenses.
The breakdown of costs reveals some significant expenditures. Wu's economy flight cost $573.79, while her hotel room at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel set her back $735.56. Paul Bologna, Digital Communications Director, also splurged on an economy flight ticket for $1,302.77. The most expensive expense was that of two Boston police officers' travel costs, totaling $6,220.88.
Despite these costs, Wu emphasized the importance of the trip in a social media post, saying "At a time when the federal regime is making life more difficult for residents in Boston and our neighbors in Canada, it's essential we make clear where we stand. The people of Boston support our Canadian friends."
Wu traveled to Nova Scotia with her family and staff, including two police officers who provided security for the mayor. Her husband and children were not covered by public funds, although they did stay in a hotel room that was shared with Wu. The Fund for Parks and Recreation in Boston paid for Interim Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse's travel expenses.
The breakdown of costs reveals some significant expenditures. Wu's economy flight cost $573.79, while her hotel room at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel set her back $735.56. Paul Bologna, Digital Communications Director, also splurged on an economy flight ticket for $1,302.77. The most expensive expense was that of two Boston police officers' travel costs, totaling $6,220.88.
Despite these costs, Wu emphasized the importance of the trip in a social media post, saying "At a time when the federal regime is making life more difficult for residents in Boston and our neighbors in Canada, it's essential we make clear where we stand. The people of Boston support our Canadian friends."
! $11k on a 3-day trip? That's just a slap in the face to taxpayers, you know? I mean, what's really goin' on here? Is it a PR stunt for Wu to be out there with the cops and her fam, makin' sure everyone knows she's still got their backs? And that Fund for Parks and Rec just happens to chip in for some random person's travel expenses? It's like they're tryin' to cover somethin' up, you feel me?
. I get that the mayor wants to show solidarity with her Canadian friends, but shouldn't she've flown commercial or taken public transport like everyone else? And what's up with the police officers tagging along? Can't they just handle security without racking up the expenses? $1,300 for a flight? That's crazy! 
On the bright side, I guess it's good that Wu is speaking out and showing her support. Maybe she can use this trip as an opportunity to connect with Canadians on a more personal level, you know? 
I mean, who doesn't love spending $11k on a family vacation... I guess that's what they mean by "public service"? 
And wow, $6k for two police officers to make sure the mayor's family was safe? Sounds like a real "fiscal responsibility" move. 
I mean, I get it, gotta make a statement, but $6k for 2 cops to fly up to Nova Scotia? that's like throwing money at a hockey game 
️! and $735 for Michelle Wu's hotel room? guess they really want her to feel welcome 
. I'm all for supporting Canada, but come on, can't we just send a care package or something? 
at least that way we won't have to break the bank 
, but come on! You'd think it could've been done on a tighter budget 
. Still weird that her husband & kids weren't covered tho 
... guess they were happy to spring for their own hotel room, at least!
And what's up with the two police officers tagging along? Were they just "security" or did they have actual duties while they were there? 
Also, isn't that hotel room shared with Wu's hubby and kids kinda weird?
? It's already bad enough that we pay taxes to fund public services, shouldn't our leaders be setting an example by being more frugal with their own expenses? And I'm not even getting started on the two police officers who got paid for flying out there... 
I get that the mayor wanted to show solidarity with her canadian friends but can't she just take a train or something? And what's up with the police officers tagging along, does Boston really need their security on some Canadian trip?