Personnel File – No. 411
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
New Data Shows Boston Homeowners Face Smaller Tax Increase
A Boston senator delayed action on a controversial home rule petition for the second time this week, pushing consideration off after new data emerged about the city’s property tax outlook.
Senate Must Act by Monday on Tax Rate Deal, Boston Says
Boston City Hall’s assessing chief on Tuesday voiced an ever-tightening timeline for Beacon Hill to act on the city’s property tax plan, while also declining to share data that some skeptical officials have said could be key to moving the needle on the controversial bill.
Boston Tax Bill Delayed Amid Fears Towns Could Copy City’s Ask
A senator from South Boston delayed action Monday on a controversial, time-sensitive Boston property tax reclassification bill, which is now on ice until after the deadline for action recommended by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
House Vote Sends Boston Tax Bill to Senate
The House of Representatives on Monday approved the city of Boston’s request to temporarily reconfigure the way it splits property taxes between commercial and residential taxpayers.
Panels Give OK to Wu Tax Deal as Mayor Defends City Budget Jump
Back at the State House seeking approval for a time-sensitive plan to temporarily alter the division of property tax burden between commercial and residential owners, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu found herself Wednesday explaining and defending her administration’s approach to budgeting.
Notable Biz Groups Absent from Deal on Boston Tax Rate Hikes
Next time it may not be so easy for Boston’s mayor. And given current market trends, not only will there almost certainly be a next time, and it won’t be long in coming, either.
City Council Backs Boston Property Tax Deal
The deal between Mayor Michelle Wu and four business groups will see commercial property tax rates rise, but not by as much as previously feared.
Flynn Derails Vote on Boston Property Tax Deal as Deadline Looms
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn dramatically scuppered attempts to bring a last-minute compromise on city commercial property tax rates up for a vote Wednesday afternoon. Councilors plan to meet Friday to take another vote.
Wu, Biz Groups Announce Deal on Tax Fracas
Boston commercial property tax rates will be going up next year to help ease homeowners’ tax bills, but not by as much and not for as long as business groups had originally feared.
Wu Rejects Tax Compromise, Biz Leader Says
A business coalition offered a compromise deal Friday that would have seen property taxes on commercial buildings rise, but by less than what Boston’s mayor wanted.
Boston Faces a Bigger Office – and Budget – Crisis Than You Think
Gone unnoticed amid all the heated debate are signs that the underlying problem – the decline in office building values – may be even more serious than first thought.
Personnel File – No. 384
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
The Worst of Boston’s Tax Problems May Be Yet to Come
The good news is that Boston’s 2025 tax revenue crisis may not be as bad as some have feared. The bad news is office values may have further to fall.
New Boston Property Tax Outlook Shows Smaller Resi Jump
Updated assessment data from Boston City Hall shows a smaller projected increase in residential property taxes in 2025, but Mayor Michelle Wu is still lobbying for legislation shifting a larger portion of the tax levy onto commercial properties.
Spika Gathers Boston Mayor, Biz Leaders for Commercial Tax Huddle
The two sides warring over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift proposal huddled in Senate President Karen Spilka’s office Thursday afternoon, but emerged with no sign of an agreement.
Boston Tax Shift Plan Faces Turbulence on Beacon Hill
Legislators on the Joint Committee on Revenue pushed Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on her proposal to increase tax rates on commercial property owners to compensate for falling office values.
Biz Leaders: Wu’s Tax Plan Makes Suburbs Winners
Business leaders warned Wednesday morning that increases to Boston’s commercial property tax rate would further diminish downtown as an economic center and drive businesses to Cambridge and suburban communities.
City Councilors Raise Questions About Wu Tax Shift Plan
During a four-hour hearing Tuesday, most councilors didn’t take an explicit up or down stance, but voiced concerns about the long-term impact on real estate development or on small businesses.
In Speech, Wu Defends Downtown Strategies, Tax Rate Plan
Speaking to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau’s annual meeting Thursday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said her plans to increase troubled office towers’ share of the city’s tax burden were vital to “avoid making our housing crisis worse.”
