I propose that colleges in Boston pay an annual fee to the City of Boston.
My proposal for colleges to pay an annual fee to the City of Boston is not punitive. The colleges take and continue to take more space, and their students utilize city services. Those services include sanitation, emergency medical services, and other city services.
The colleges are constantly growing, increasing their revenue. Taking valuable land when Boston is in a housing crisis.
While college students bring the city revenue through purchases, etc., only certain parts of the city of Boston received revenue from the students. Yet, all of Boston's taxpayers pay for the city services they utilize.
My proposal would begin with asking the colleges to voluntarily make a fair yearly payment to the city. If the colleges do not agree, we will have the Boston City Council vote on this proposal.
This would not be similar to the current, voluntary pilot program Boston now asks colleges to pay to the city.
A pilot program from the Wu administration that seems to be a failure.
Boston's City Council should vote on the proposal to require colleges to pay a substantive fee to the City of Boston.
This is a conversation and vote we need to have.
We should not fear a lawsuit on this issue. It is that important for Boston's revenue.
The argument that students will feel the sting of the payment is not an issue. College fees rise regardless of the situation.
Colleges are a beloved part of Boston. I want them to help ease their home city taxes and city services.
An example of how their payments could benefit the people of Boston.
If Boston receives 20 million dollars a year for 7 years from 5 colleges in the city, that is 100 million dollars a year.
Hold that $100 million for 7 years. That is 700 million dollars. That money could go toward lowering property and business taxes.
Repeat the process for 7 years again.
The next 700 million could go to taxes, city services, and education.
This is an idea. We need new and fresh ideas.
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