Boston state senator talks about his property tax disagreement with mayor

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.