Mayor rightly seeks to protect city residents from a hard tax hit
Running the City of Boston has never been an easy job, at least during the more than 50 years I have lived in Massachusetts. In a state that makes cities reliant on property taxes to deliver basic services, Boston is now faced with the same declining commercial property values affecting other urban centers around the world.
But as far as I can see, those who claim the city has a revenue problem have it wrong (“Wu’s tiff with the Senate president accomplishes nothing,” Editorial, Aug. 14). The Wu administration is planning to collect the same amount of revenue and include the same standard 2.5 percent annual increase that the city has collected under previous mayors for decades. But to account for the post-pandemic hit to commercial values, Mayor Michelle Wu has responded to protect city residents. Instead of allowing homeowners to pick up all the slack from those declining office values with drastically higher taxes, or making deep cuts to city services, she has called for a compromise plan that would temporarily shift some of those tax obligations to commercial properties while phasing in small increases in residential tax rates over the next three years.
As a Boston taxpayer, I view this as a reasonable plan that makes everyone share the cost of keeping Boston a safe, clean, vibrant city with well-funded schools and services. As an economist and urban policy academic with a long association with Boston College, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Northeastern University, and as a longtime adviser to business and civic leaders, I’ve always believed that our city thrives when we work together and ensure we have the revenue we need to keep Boston strong and to contribute to our Commonwealth.
Barry Bluestone
Boston
The writer is professor emeritus of public policy and urban affairs and the Russell B. and Andree B. Stearns Trustee Professor emeritus of Political Economy at Northeastern University.
In its Aug. 14 editorial, “Wu’s tiff with the Senate president accomplishes nothing,” the Globe takes a disappointing view of the tax classification issue. I am glad Mayor Michelle Wu is trying to protect homeowners like me from a tax shock if there are wild swings in commercial property value over the next few years. Big-money interests shouldn’t control our politicians.
Shirley Jones
Dorchester
Shifting burden onto business would have far-reaching consequences
As a concerned resident of the Commonwealth, and as a former Barnstable County commissioner, I am alarmed by Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal for Boston to shift more of the tax burden onto commercial real estate owners. This misguided plan will have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the city limits, harming small businesses, stifling economic growth, and affecting the entire state.
I understand the importance of a thriving capital city to our regional economy. However, Wu’s proposal is not the solution. It would lead to higher rents, reduced investment, and fewer jobs, ultimately hurting the very people it aims to help.
Furthermore, this proposal sets a dangerous precedent for other cities and towns to follow, potentially destabilizing our state’s economy. I urge Wu and the Boston City Council to explore alternative solutions that promote economic growth, support local businesses, and benefit all stakeholders.
Ronald Beaty
West Barnstable
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