A lengthy debate is playing out between Beacon Hill and Boston over property taxes.
Political leaders are seeking solutions as residential rates rise due to falling commercial values. At the heart of that debate is Massachusetts State Sen. Nick Collins.
“You have to make policy decisions backed by information, and that’s how we’re going to continue to approach policy debates in the Senate,” said Collins.
The Boston Democrat, who represents parts of the city including Southie and Dorchester, put forward legislation earlier this month to address the ongoing issue.
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“This authorization would allow cities and towns, and particularly the City of Boston, to issue rebates to taxpayers to mitigate the tax increase they just absorbed,” said Collins.
Property taxes are at risk of spiking at the start of 2026 as the city combats falling commercial property values.
That plan passed on a 37-1 vote and counters a proposal from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu that would temporarily shift more of the tax burden onto commercial properties.
Collins calls that idea a “march of folly” and a “bad idea.” Wu has said Collins did not bring up his concerns in the past and suggested he’s either misinformed or purposely misleading voters.
“The mayor is trying to use games and tricks to distract from the fact that the proposal was flawed,” he said. “It was overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate.”
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But some argue that Boston deserves to have a deeper ability to make these decisions because the city serves as the economic driver for New England.
Collins agrees, but only in part.
“Yes, but not bad ideas,” said he said.
Mayor Michelle Wu is proposing an increase on property taxes for businesses to help alleviate the financial strain for homeowners. NBC10 Boston’s Sue O’Connell hit the streets to see what Bostonians think of the ongoing debate.
The public tiff hasn’t slowed as the Senate’s plan now heads for the House of Representatives.
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“The only way that good tax policy — in this case, to provide relief to homeowners, not just in Boston but statewide — gets blocked is by politics,” Collins said.
Tune in Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for our extended @Issue Sit Down with Collins. He weighs-in on the ongoing disagreement with Wu and whether the lines of communication are still open despite that public back-and-forth.
“No Kings” rallies are scheduled in Boston and across Massachusetts on Saturday and are expected to draw large crowds, organizers said.
Organized by the ACLU of Massachusetts, Indivisible Mass Coalition, and Mass 50501, the event is a mass mobilization in protest of the Trump administration.
The No Kings theme was created by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
“The Trump administration is trying to shred the Constitution; the No Kings movement is an unequivocal statement that we, the people, will not let that happen. This will be the third global No Kings Day, and it’s not just about protesting what’s wrong—it’s about building something better. We intend to show our power, build our power, and power a democracy that advances freedom, equality, justice, and dignity for all,” organizers wrote.
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The rally, one of thousands scheduled across the country this weekend, is planned for the Boston Common from 2 to 4 p.m. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Boston’s rally. Other events are scheduled in Pittsfield, Northampton, Lancaster, Worcester, Framingham, Methuen, Lexington, and towns in southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape. For a map of No Kings events near you, click here.
Speakers include elected officials Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Ed Markey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and civic leaders Hessann Farooqi Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Darlene Lombos, president of the Greater Boston Labor Council, Carol Rose, executive director of ACLU of Massachusetts, Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers of Massachusetts, and others. It will be moderated by Rahsaan Hall, president and CEO of Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
There will also be performances by the Dropkick Murphys, Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians, BVOCAL Chorus, and Jimmy Tingle.
A previous No Kings rally in October drew massive crowds estimated in the tens of thousands.
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
An aerial view of the crowd at Boston’s “No Kings” rally on the Common on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
ALLSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Boston police are searching for a gunman who opened fire in Allston Thursday and left one person hurt.
Police responded to a radio call for a person shot in the area of Brighton Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found a male “juvenile” suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim’s age has not been released.
Boston police said the shooter fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police.
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This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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