Mayor rightly wants to protect city residents from high tax burdens
Leading the City of Boston has never been an easy task, at least not during the more than 50 years I’ve lived in Massachusetts. In a state that makes cities rely on property taxes to provide basic services, Boston is now facing the same declining commercial real estate values that are affecting other urban centers around the world.
But from what I can see, those who claim the city has a revenue problem are wrong (“Wu’s dispute with the Senate president gets nowhere,” Editorial, August 14). The Wu administration plans to raise the same level of revenue and implement the same standard 2.5 percent annual increase that the city collected for decades under previous mayors. To offset the post-pandemic collapse in commercial property values, Mayor Michelle Wu has responded to protect the city’s residents. Rather than allowing homeowners to offset falling office values by paying drastically higher taxes or making deep cuts to city services, she has called for a compromise plan that temporarily shifts some of those tax obligations to commercial properties while gradually instituting small increases in residential property tax rates over the next three years.
As a Boston taxpayer, I believe this is a common sense plan that involves everyone sharing in the costs of ensuring Boston remains a safe, clean, vibrant city with well-funded schools and services. As an economist and urban policy scientist with long-standing affiliation with Boston College, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Northeastern University, and as a longtime advisor to business and community leaders, I have always believed that our city thrives when we work together to ensure we have the revenue we need to keep Boston strong and contributing to our Commonwealth.
Barry Bluestone
Boston
The author is Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and Russell B. and Andree B. Stearns Trustee Professor Emeritus of Political Economy at Northeastern University.
In its Aug. 14 editorial, “Wu’s fight with Senate president goes nowhere,” the Globe takes a disappointing stance on the tax classification issue. I’m glad Mayor Michelle Wu is trying to protect homeowners like me from a tax shock should there be wild fluctuations in commercial property values in the coming years. Our politicians should not be controlled by the interests of big money.
Shirley Jones
Dorchester
Shifting the burden onto companies would have far-reaching consequences
As a concerned Commonwealth resident and former Barnstable County Commissioner, I am concerned about Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to shift a larger share of Boston’s tax burden onto commercial property owners. This misguided plan will have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond city limits, hurting small businesses, stunting economic growth, and affecting the entire state.
I understand how important a thriving capital city is for our regional economy. However, Wu’s proposal is not the solution. It would lead to higher rents, lower investment and fewer jobs, and ultimately harm the very people it is intended to help.
Furthermore, this proposal sets a dangerous precedent for other cities and towns, 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 everyone involved.
Ronald Beaty
West Barnstable
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