Hartford councilman who works for MDC suggests taxing the city's major nonprofits

Budget season has ended, but one city leader says now is the time to revive the age-old idea of taxing Hartford’s nonprofits — including his own employer.

Democratic City Councilman James Sanchez wants state lawmakers to craft a bill that would require private universities, hospitals and other major nonprofit organizations in Hartford to pay property tax on 20 percent of their assessed value, according to a resolution he entered this week.

Sanchez said that he would like to tax approximately 15 organizations, but his proposal cites only three examples — St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, the Bushnell Performing Arts Center and the Metropolitan District Commission, his employer of nearly 19 years.

Sanchez, the council’s majority leader, started at MDC working with hazardous waste and now does community outreach. He said he referenced the tax-exempt, quasi-public agency because he thinks all major entities in the city should contribute at least some property taxes.

Read more: https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-nonprofits-property-taxes-20190601-tq6syltyizfphae7kjjhthnhea-story.html