Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka

BOSTON (12/09/2024) – Today, Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) made the following statement regarding the City of Boston’s tax shift proposal:  

“Despite hard work and effort, the path forward for the City of Boston's proposal to shift its tax burden from residents to businesses has become increasingly challenging. Having listened to the concerns of both commercial property owners and city residents, it was important for the Senate to seek a solution that would preserve the delicate balance of protecting the economic powerhouse that is Boston while addressing the very real concerns of property owners as we all face uncharted territory in a post-COVID Commonwealth.

I thank Mayor Wu, the City of Boston, the Boston City Council, and the business community for reaching a compromise that sought to strike that balance. I want to especially thank the Senators who so ably represent the City.

As this compromise legislation has progressed through the Senate, the Department of Revenue recently released new certifications of data submitted by Boston that predicted a much more modest tax increase for residents than previously presented by the City. This new understanding has left stakeholders and Senate members with serious concerns about the bill’s impact on the competitiveness of the state as a whole. Many in the Senate believe that this proposal tips the scales too far in one direction, with a stalled economic recovery in Boston as an unfortunate potential outcome.

The Senate is acutely aware of the affordability issues many residents of the Commonwealth face. That’s why we prioritized passing the Affordable Homes Act and a once-in-a-generation tax relief package—both of which are now law. To protect our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, the tax relief bill doubles the maximum senior circuit breaker credit to make it easier for seniors who struggle with high housing costs to stay in their homes.

My job as Senate President is to work toward compromise, always; without it we would accomplish nothing. It is also my job to listen to the members of the Senate, and I have heard clearly that there currently is not sufficient support for this proposal. I will therefore not bring it to the floor for further debate.”

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