A Pseudo-Taxing Debate

As cities and towns attempt to patch budget holes caused by shrinking state support and tax revenues, several municipalities have started a new round of campaigns targeting property-tax-exempt colleges and other nonprofits.

It is not a new idea for cities to try to seek “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, agreements with nonprofits to help shoulder local costs. But the frequency and fervor with which municipalities have been proposing such plans recently could indicate a looming town-gown debate at a time when budgets for both are being squeezed.