Municipal Finance
and Property Taxes

I am passionate about progressive, responsible municipal finance. I sit on the Finance Committee of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. I also chaired a citywide commission charged with seeking out both short and long term solutions to rising property taxes.

While I see the services the City provides as crucial to preserving the quality of life we enjoy here in Cambridge. I am constantly aware of the need to exercise fiscal prudence. I see the rift between the state and local government as endangering progress on many fronts, none the least of which is education. This is why I have asked that Chapter 70 funding be restored to its previous Fiscal Year 2002 and 2003 levels, and submitted orders for the council to do the same. I have also sought innovative and progressive solutions by implementing the senior volunteer program as another way to alleviate tax burdens.

When I chaired the Finance Committee, I responded to the pressure of property taxes on our residents, and I took an aggressive approach to managing the impact of these trends on future rates. Some noteworthy accomplishments were:

• In 2008 almost 80% of Cambridge residents will receive a reduction in their property taxes.
• Winning the fight to freeze city water costs for 2005
• Passing a lean but fair 2006 budget
• Ensuring that 2005 had the lowest property tax increase in over a decade

I hate the property tax: it’s regressive, and hurts long-time residents who simply want to stay in their current homes. Unfortunately, state law forbids Cambridge from using more equitable alternatives. I’m fighting to change that, and support Governor Patrick’s Municipal Partnership Act, but it will be a long, tough battle against entrenched interests at the state level. I am passionate about fair, responsible taxation and city finance.