Boston Municipal Research Bureau

Managing Boston’s Pensions

Retirement Board to vote on extending pension funding schedule.

Q&A With Councilor Brian Worrell

A Q&A with District 4 City Councilor Brian Worrell, Chair of the Boston City Council's Committee on Ways and Means, regarding the budget process.

Boston’s $4.64B FY25 Budget Approved

The Boston City Council this week gave the final nod to Mayor Wu’s $4.64B FY25 operating budget. Read more about the results in this Research Update.

Analyzing Mayor Wu’s Property Tax Classification Proposal

A proposed Home Rule Petition to temporarily change property tax classification in Boston aims to tackle the consequences of a possible divergence of property values between residential and business properties.

Proposed Real Estate Transfer Fee Policies Explained

There are currently two transfer fee proposals that could impact Boston before the Legislature. Learn more about these proposal in this Research Update

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Research Bureau In the News

Retired Boston employees want an increase to their pension checks. The mayor’s office says no.
By Niki Griswold | The Boston Globe | September 29, 2024

Boston City Council presses Retirement Board to reverse course on pension increase rejection
By Gayla Cawley | Boston Herald | September 26, 2024

Spilka, Wu discuss tax proposal during private meeting that ends without ‘consensus,’ pol says
By Chris Van Buskirk | Boston Herald | September 26, 2024

Wu unveils $100 million development fund to jump-start stalled housing projects
By Jon Chesto | The Boston Globe | September 25, 2024

Boston mayors have tried to rein in police overtime for decades. Why won’t it stick?
By Dan Glaun | The Boston Globe | August 21, 2024

Wu should abandon pursuit of commercial tax shift
Editorial: Boston Business Journal | August 14, 2024

Wu’s tiff with the Senate president over a tax bill accomplishes nothing
Editorial: The Boston Globe | August 14, 2024

Boston eyes PILOT program to help make up falling property tax revenue
By Trea Lavery | MassLive | August 5, 2024

Wu scales back property-tax proposal; businesses remain opposed
By Greg Ryan | Boston Business Journal | July 30, 2024

After Wu Agrees To Changes, House Plans Vote on Boston Tax Bill
By Chris Lisinski | SHNS | July 30, 2024

State lawmakers appear skeptical of Mayor Wu’s property tax home rule petition in legislative hearing
By Niki Griswold | The Boston Globe | July 16, 2024

Nearly 100 Boston police officers made $100,000-plus in overtime alone in 2023
By Niki Griswold & Neena Hagen | The Boston Globe | July 15, 2024

Hundreds challenged downtown Boston commercial building values. Only 6 won.
By Greg Ryan | Boston Business Journal | July 8, 2024

Boston Office Slump Sets Up $400 Million Burden For Residents
By Sri Taylor | Bloomberg News | June 27, 2024

Boston, we have a property tax problem
By Larry Edelman | The Boston Globe | June 20, 2024

Boston City Council approves mayor’s plan to increase commercial tax rates
By Gayla Cawley | Boston Herald | June 5, 2024

Resolution of property tax dilemma puts mayor, council in fretful mode
By Chris Lovett | Dorchester Reporter | June 5, 2024

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Research Spotlight

Analyzing Mayor Wu’s Property Tax Classification Proposal

FY25 PROPOSED BOSTON BUDGET

Mayor Recommends 8.0% Budget Increase

FY25 SCHOOL BUDGET
A time for change

School Budget Process Needs Substantial Improvement

The Crucial Role of the Boston School Committee

School Spending Projected to Drop $83.8M

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