Say No to Mayor Wu's Tax Shift Plan – Protect Proposition 2 ½!

Dear SPOA Members and Supporters:

Mayor Wu’s tax shift plan is a red herring. It’s an attempt to override Proposition 2 ½ and the fundamental taxation structure of the state.

Mayor Wu is attempting to circumvent the guardrails established by Proposition 2 ½ in order to give Boston a special deal unavailable to any other city or town in Massachusetts. By shifting the tax burden to commercial taxpayers beyond the limits defined by Proposition 2 ½, Mayor Wu will start an inevitable rush to the legislature by other communities that will rightfully ask for the same special deal. The legendary Barbara Anderson, who fought to pass Proposition 2 ½, must be rolling in her grave!

The mayor and her supporters should be told, unequivocally, “No!”

There is no doubt they won’t like hearing that. Does Mayor Wu have any issues saying no to the business community? It’s been fairly consistent for the past three years.

SPOA, on behalf of our membership, does not support any grand bargain with the mayor.

Residential taxes in Boston are low compared to the suburbs. Boston’s residential tax rate is $10.91. Taxes in Sharon are $17.58 per thousand. Norfolk is $15.57, Longmeadow is $24.64.

What is this tax shift rate going to do to the rest of Massachusetts?

Suburban taxes are a lot higher than Boston’s residential taxes. Are residents of Boston to be paying $13.00 per $1,000/value, while constituents are paying $25 out in the suburbs?

No deal should be done without spending cuts.

COVID spending has created unfunded mandates in Boston. In a poor economy, how can Boston exempt itself from cutting spending? Hasn’t everyone else had to?

But this is even worse. It is a case of adding insult to injury. Wu’s plan is to turn to the most beleaguered sector – commercial real estate – to make up the difference in her overly bloated budget.

Not to mention that businesses already pay $25.27 – more than two and a half times the residential tax rate.

Why are Boston homeowners getting a free ride on the backs of the suburbs and commercial property owners?

If your state representative or senator votes for that deal, they should hear from you! You can contact them using the link below:

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

This is not a deal that is supported by SPOA and our members. We wonder, therefore, if “business leaders” consider their dues paying members as they broker this deal.

No deal without SPENDING CUTS. End of story. This is really about dismantling the only tool that protects us from being taxed into oblivion. Don’t be distracted by the semantics of bills and the machinery. Just say, “No!”

Sincerely,
Small Property Owners Association (SPOA)