More cities look to universities to share costs amid recession

The Boston Globe reports:

Pittsburgh threatened to tax college tuition. Providence sought to tax out-of-state students. And Philadelphia is pressing its colleges and universities to resume voluntary payments in lieu of taxes.

As Boston seeks new revenue, cities around the country are grappling with how to squeeze more money from the colleges and other tax-exempt institutions, as recession and lower property tax revenues prompt municipalities to seek alternate ways to pay their bills.

Efforts to impose greater obligations on nonprofits have increased tension and strained town-gown relations in some college-rich cities.

City officials argue that colleges rely on municipal services and should pay their fair share, especially in difficult financial times.

As we've said before, you'll be hearing more of these stories.