What to expect from Wu's address
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👋 Mike Deehan here, back with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is set to deliver her annual State of the City address tonight.
- It's her first big opportunity this election year to outline her coming campaign in front of voters and to respond to building criticism of the way she runs City Hall.
Why it matters: Any big speech from an incumbent on the ballot will be scrutinized as a campaign moment, so expect clear goals to be outlined tonight in addition to the normal victory laps of a first-term mayor.
Between the lines: Wu has a couple fires burning that voters may want her to address, but don't expect the mayor to spend too much time on the trickier issues:
- The pressure from community groups to stop the renovation of White Stadium into a home for a new professional women's soccer team.
- Her recent 180 on some city bike-lane protections and admission that her administration was hasty about them.
- Her opponent, nonprofit leader and billionaire's son Josh Kraft, and who's campaigning against what he's characterized as Wu's regnant leadership style.
Then there are the real big problems in Boston: schools, housing affordability, and a recovering economy facing uncertain support from Washington.
- Wu has made affordability a cornerstone of her tenure, but national economic trends have mostly overwhelmed anything a mayor could hope to accomplish in one term.
What we're watching: Wu has some political wins that have flown under the radar.
- She was endorsed for reelection by health care, public service and property service workers this month, partially solidifying her support on the left as she prepares to take on more moderate interests in the campaign.
The intrigue: One dissatisfied union plans to be very vocal tonight at Wu's speech: the Boston Teachers Union.
- The BTU is in negotiations over a new contract and increased wages.
- Teachers will be out in front of the MGM Music Hall to "rally" — not protest — for Wu to accept their asks for higher pay.
The big picture: Wu's speech probably won't vary much from previous addresses: a progress report and a vision for the future.
- But it'll be a telling look at what she wants the coming campaign to be about and how she wants voters to judge her term.
What's next: The speech starts at 7pm and will be streamed online.