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Steve Poftak Appointed CEO of Boston Municipal Research Bureau

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Cityscape of Boston representing governance and financial analysis.

News Summary

Steve Poftak has been named the new CEO and president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, effective July 2025, after a challenging tenure at the MBTA. His leadership will focus on analyzing city finances and governance effectiveness amid tensions with the Boston Mayor’s administration.

Boston – Steve Poftak has been appointed as the new CEO and president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, effective July 2025. This role comes after a controversial four-year tenure as the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), where he faced significant challenges and scrutiny concerning safety and management issues.

During his time at the MBTA from January 2019 to January 2023, Poftak was involved in numerous critical incidents, most notably a fire involving an Orange Line train on July 21, 2022. Passengers were forced to escape through windows, and one individual jumped into the Mystic River to avoid the flames. This event underscored the chronic issues of underfunding and mismanagement within the MBTA, drawing attention to the need for urgent reforms in public transit safety and operations.

Poftak’s new leadership role at the Boston Municipal Research Bureau will focus on analyzing city finances and governance effectiveness. His experience at the MBTA is expected to provide him with valuable insights into the complexities of governance reforms. The Research Bureau, which has been operational since 1932, is a nonpartisan organization representing business interests in Boston while promoting effective government practices.

His appointment follows a turbulent period for the Research Bureau, particularly during the interim presidency of Marty Walz. Relations between the bureau and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu deteriorated after the organization withdrew from a proposed compromise regarding the redistribution of property tax burdens to commercial property owners in December 2022. Mayor Wu publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the bureau’s subsequent critiques of her administration, asserting that they had taken a stance resembling that of a political action committee against corporate tax reductions.

While Pablo’s departure from the MBTA in November 2022 highlighted a mixed legacy, including major challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic that adversely impacted ridership and revenue, he was also noted for his attempts to improve infrastructure during his tenure. An investigation by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) highlighted significant safety issues, with findings indicating that safety and maintenance were deprioritized in favor of capital projects. Throughout this period, Poftak contended with multiple crises, including service disruptions and safety incidents.

Before his leadership role at the MBTA, Poftak was the executive director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston and served as a research director at the Pioneer Institute. His breadth of experience and background in urban governance are seen as assets as he transitions to the Research Bureau’s leadership.

The Boston Municipal Research Bureau has recently examined several pressing issues related to the city, including the fiscal 2026 budget and agreements made with the Boston Teachers Union. As Poftak steps into his new role, questions arise regarding whether the bureau will continue to maintain a critical viewpoint regarding the policies enacted by Mayor Wu’s administration.

Board chair Charlene Rideout emphasized that Poftak’s expertise in conducting objective analyses will be vital, even when it leads to disagreement over certain policies. Poftak aims to initiate positive changes in Boston by focusing on critical areas such as affordable housing and education, aligning with the bureau’s objective of effectively addressing municipal challenges.

As Poftak assumes command of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, stakeholders will be closely watching how his leadership influences the bureau’s stance on city issues and its interactions with the Wu administration, especially in light of the previous tensions regarding governance and fiscal policies.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Massachusetts Senate Proposes Tax Suspension for Multihousing Construction
Boston Mayor’s Tax Boycott Ignites Political Tensions

Additional Resources

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Author: HERE Boston

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