Senate Snubs Boston Tax Shift Proposal
In the showdown over local property taxes, the Senate on Thursday advanced a relief bill and delivered a formal rebuke to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax shift plan.
Boston Tax Relief Bills Emerge for Senate Action
After turning up their collective noses at Mayor Michelle Wu’s latest attempt to rebalance Boston’s property tax bills, Senate leaders are ready to forge ahead with their own relief plans.
Mayor Wu Missing Her Chance to Put Tax Issue to Bed
She has a chance to look magnanimous in an increasingly heated tax dispute between City Hall and office tower owners. Instead, she’s digging in.
Office Landlord Sues Boston, Claiming Inflated Assessment
A conservative legal advocacy group filed suit against the city of Boston on behalf of commercial landlords who claim they suffered retaliation for challenging inflated property tax assessments.
What This Month’s Boston Tax Fight Is Really About
Is this truly a serious effort by the Wu administration to overcome stiff opposition and get its controversial plan over a big legislative hurdle?
Senate Dems Crafting Their Own Boston Property Tax Bill
Facing criticism for not addressing steep tax hikes in Boston and a legislative stalemate on Beacon Hill, the Senate plans to sidestep the House and possibly advance its own proposal that could deliver limited relief in any Massachusetts city or town.
Wu Critic: Boston Needs ‘Different Approach’ to Budget Woes
The solutions are viewed as either a Band-Aid or desperately needed residential relief, but it’s clear that property taxes in the city of Boston are again a focus of City Hall and State House debate.
Wu Warns of Big Property Tax Hike
Boston residential property tax bills are projected to increase an average 13 percent starting in January, reflecting continuing declines in commercial valuations that pass the bill to homeowners.
It’s Round Two in the Boston Real Estate Tax Battle
The latest idea from a city pol to head off spending cuts: pile more taxes on the backs of apartment owners. But even a mayoral ally worries it’s a bad idea.
State’s Top Taxman Dismisses Tower Tax Retaliation Claims
State Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said he can’t “substantiate” claims that Boston raised taxes on tower owners who challenged their valuations. A lawsuit could be next.
Legal Group Wants Probe of Boston ‘Hidden Real Estate Tax’
Boston has retaliated against commercial landlords that appeal their property tax assessments by imposing a surcharge, a legal aid group alleges.
Beacon Hill Shows No Urgency on Boston Tax Package
The senator who last year was one of the most vocal opponents of a Boston Mayor Michelle Wu plan to shift property taxes more onto commercial payers said he is friendlier to parts of a new-filed tax relief package meant to temper residential tax spikes through a plan tied to rebates.
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.
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.
Mariano: Major Deals Possible Before Or After Election
After one of his first public appearances at the State House since formal sessions ended on July 31, House Speaker Ron Mariano defended the Legislature’s right to make laws throughout the two-year session, telling reporters that it doesn’t matter to him whether major bills get done before or after November’s election.
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 Seniors Add Voice to Property Tax Battle
The political tug-of-war over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to raise commercial property tax rates continued on Beacon Hill and Boston City Hall Wednesday, showing the issue is far from dead.
Mayor Ready to Dial Each Senator in Property Tax Push
Senators be aware: If you get a call from a 617 phone number in the coming days, it could be Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
After Wu Agrees to Changes, House Passes Boston Tax Bill
State representatives are ready to move forward on a proposed property tax rebalancing plan for the city of Boston after Mayor Michelle Wu agreed to scale back the changes.
