My name is Maura Hennigan, and I believe in a better Boston. I may be running for Mayor - but I promise you, that is more than just a campaign slogan. Boston is a world class city, and I believe it is time we had a world class city government to go with it. I believe we can have better schools, safer streets, more affordable housing, a more equitable property tax system, and higher quality city services.

I also believe there is a way to pay for them all - without increasing the tax burden on working families. In this campaign, I have proposed a number of initiatives: putting 500 more police on our streets, improving our communications systems and training for first responders in the event of a disaster, improving our school system by replicating the success of pilot school models and by creating a "Full Day Enrichment" program (after school programs), and increasing the supply of affordable housing. All of these programs will cost money - and as Mayor, there are a number of steps I would take to make sure these programs could be funded without raising taxes on Boston residents.

First, I would open the books of City Government, conducting an outside independent audit of the City, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Boston Housing Authority, the School Department, and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission to identify ways I could reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Second, I will work to renegotiate the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements with the tax-exempt universities and medical institutions. Despite the numerous benefits they reap from the city, these institutions are not currently paying their fair share.

Third, I will identify and sell the hundreds of acres of vacant real estate tax foreclosed properties currently held by the city of Boston. These properties can first be offered to city residents and city workers looking to become homeowners, and then to developers looking to create more affordable housing.

Fourth, I will call for an inventory of all BRA properties and create a plan to sell, lease, or develop them, turning currently tax-exempt properties into ones that generate revenue for the city.

Fifth, I will make sure large commercial properties are paying their fair share of the property tax burden. The current assessment methods are flawed, with commercial properties being sold for many times more than their "assessed" value. This results in a significant loss in potential tax revenue for the City.

Sixth, I will streamline city services by creating a more efficient, user friendly City Services Center. Money can be saved and more constituent service work can be done by reducing paperwork and bureaucracy.

Seventh, I will work hard to bring in private and public grants for the city and collaborate with programs already in existence to fund programs like my Full Day Enrichment Program. By partnering with existing non-profits and local colleges and universities, we can find ways to provide our children with the programs without duplicating efforts or wasting money.

Finally, it must be recognized that investments made now in our city - in education, in infrastructure, in public safety, and in affordable housing - lead to long term revenue growth. If we make Boston an affordable, safe place to live with strong schools, more families will choose to live inside the city borders instead of moving out to the suburbs - and more companies will relocate here to tap into our strong, diverse, educated labor pool. If we spend the money to do high quality work on our infrastructure now, we save money on repairs down the road.

Bold ideas may require creative financing - something with which I have some experience as the head of the Ways and Means Committee for seven years. To run for Mayor against an entrenched incumbent is not an easy task, and to fund this race, I had to use creative financing. I used my financial knowledge and ingenuity to fund my campaign where doubters said it could not be done. As Mayor, I intend to take my resourcefulness and determination and put it to work on a grander scale, constantly seeking out creative ways we can raise and save money for the City of Boston. On November 8th, I ask for your vote to provide new vision and leadership for our city. Thank you.