City Councils Thwart Tax‑the‑Rich Push

Local legislative bodies can blunt progressive mayoral tax proposals by choosing modest, targeted measures—like adjusting state‑dependent credits (PTET) and relying on re‑estimates and efficiencies—while preserving or even expanding means‑tested benefits. That tactic lets councils avoid blunt top‑tax increases, reduce political blowback from unions and high earners, and keep the city’s tax base intact. — This pattern changes how we should expect urban fiscal battles to play out: intra‑Democratic checks at the municipal level can prevent sweeping redistributionist experiments and shape broader state‑level tax policy.