Officials propose ID to improve inclusion for all residents and streamline city services
Boston city officials are developing a proposal for a city ID to address challenges faced by more than 140,000 residents obtaining government identification, The Boston Globe reports.
During a recent City Council meeting, City Council President Michelle Wu highlighted challenges faced by the immigrant, homeless, and transgender communities when it comes to obtaining a government ID.
“The difficulty of getting a formal identification card is disproportionately burdensome for certain communities,” Wu said. “This is an opportunity for the City of Boston to not only fill in some of those gaps but streamline city services across the board.”
An internal study by the mayor’s office found an estimated one-fifth of Boston residents face challenges obtaining a government ID, impacting the ability to open bank accounts, apply for jobs, and interactions with police, according to the Globe.
The proposed ID — Boston OneCard — would be available to city residents regardless of immigration status, gender identity, or residence status. One suggestion for the card, which is still in the initial stages of development, is that it could roll in other municipal services, such as a library card, school ID, and MBTA card.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh supports the initiative, which was allocated $100,000 in funding in the city’s recently signed budget.
Read the full report at the Globe.
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