BOSTON— Boston taxpayers are in for a shocker as Mayor Michelle Wu sails into her second term with a jaw-dropping $43,000 raise, bringing her salary to a staggering $250,000 in 2026. Critics are already howling over Wu's tax and spend mindset, which they say prioritizes funding vanity projects while commercial revenues plummet and property taxes soar.

The hefty pay bump, approved under legislation passed in 2022, comes on the heels of a controversial election campaign where Wu faced little competition. After an uncontested reelection bid, she now enjoys a massive financial boost, raising eyebrows among constituents who struggle with skyrocketing costs.

City Council members are also celebrating their pay hikes, with their salaries set to rise to $125,000, but it's Wu's eye-popping salary increase that has raised the most ire. Just last week, Wu cruised to victory against her principal opponent, Josh Kraft, the son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, winning by an astonishing 49 points in the primary. Kraft, sensing defeat, dropped out of the race just two days later.

As taxpayers brace themselves for Wu's grand salary increase, they can't help but wonder if their hard-earned dollars could be put to better use. With property taxes soaring and commercial revenues dwindling, is this the time for such a lavish pay raise? The answer remains to be seen, as the mayor prepares to cash in while many residents continue to feel the financial squeeze.