In most mayoral races, candidates joust over issues such as snow plowing, garbage collection, potholes, public safety, etc. But in Boston these days? They’re fighting over office-building valuations and vacancy rates. Who would have thought? Anyway, B&T reports on the spat between Mayor Michelle Wu and mayor wannabe Josh Kraft over a new report predicting a huge decline in office valuations and a potential plunge in commercial property tax revenue. Wu comes across as more than a little testy, trying to blame the report’s messenger while dismissing its message. … Meanwhile, the Herald has a piece that basically alleges the Wu administration is slapping improper property-tax assessments on commercial-building owners who dare appeal city property valuations. It’s a serious matter if true.

Two quickie takeaways 1.) Wu is obviously trying to kick the office-valuation can down the road, knowing full well a likely city budget reckoning is coming after the election. 2.) She’s not wrong to wonder who’s backing the Boston Policy Institute, one of the authors of the recent report. The commercial-valuation issue is legitimate, but it also comes across as a ginned-up issue by people with a strong interest in the matter. Put another way: I seriously doubt lefty activists are behind the institute.

Update — 6.12.25 – From the Globe’s Larry Edelman: “Boston’s office market goes from bad to worse. What’s Wu’s Plan B?”