Overview
- The Senate voted 5-33 to defeat a Rush amendment that mirrored Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to shift more of Boston’s tax burden onto commercial properties.
- Wu’s plan sought a three-year waiver to exceed the 175% commercial-to-residential cap to blunt a projected 13% hike for homeowners, which city officials link to a 6% drop in commercial values and a 2% rise in residential values.
- Senators approved Will Brownsberger’s “tax shock” bill, 37-1, allowing phased increases or targeted credits in years when residential tax hikes are projected to top 10%.
- A separate Nick Collins bill passed 37-1 to let the city use its reported $552 million surplus for direct rebates to qualifying homeowners, with Collins saying the measure would apply statewide.
- Four of Boston’s six senators backed the failed amendment, while opponents warned about setting a statewide precedent and harming businesses, and the Senate-approved measures now go to a House that has previously supported Wu’s approach.