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Boston Chamber
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          Women's Network
          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Special Event
          Talent and Competitiveness in 2025: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times

          Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.

          06/26/2025

          11:00am - 12:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.

          06/26/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Chamber Urges Fiscal Discipline in City Budgeting

June 3, 2025

 

Councilor Brian Worrell, Chair
City Council Committee on Ways and Means
1 City Hall Square Room 550
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-3040

 

Councilor Enrique Pepén, Vice Chair
City Council Committee on Ways and Means
1 City Hall Square Room 550
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-3040

 

Dear Chair Worrell and Vice Chair Pepén,

On behalf of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and our 1,200 members, I write to follow up on our previous testimony to offer additional comments on the city’s proposed FY26 Budget. The Chamber appreciates the Committee’s thorough budget review process to find a balance between fiscal responsibility and the preservation of critical city services.

As you know, the Administration proposed a 4.4% increase in spending for the upcoming fiscal year. This increase represents a more modest approach to city budgeting compared to recent years of unsustainable growth and is a good first step towards a more reasonable rate of spending increases, helping contribute to the long-term fiscal success of the city.

Embracing the culture of fiscal discipline is critical given federal funding and economic uncertainty for the next few years. The city budget may be exposed to shifts in federal support and the resulting economic headwinds impacting important sectors of the city’s economy. As such, spending and revenue decisions must be considered thoughtfully and carefully, and caution is required.

With limited new revenue growth in new development and recent declines in the commercial real estate market and property values, residents may again share a higher property tax burden depending on budgeting decisions. High vacancy rates in office buildings downtown1 and laboratory space across the region2 point to an adjustment in commercial property values for some time. The impacts on budget increases in this environment on residents and businesses, therefore, must be a consideration when developing the city’s approach to budgeting.

One of the main focuses of FY26 and the years ahead should be supporting economic growth, development, and downtown vitality. Focusing on fiscal discipline while promoting growth will create a strong foundation for long-term budget stability.

Thank you for your attention and please reach out with any questions.

Sincerely,

James E. Rooney President & CEO

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