How many of us have watched in disbelief as Republican elected officials cower to Donald Trump out of fear of being “primaried” or publicly scorned?

Progressive Bostonians should look at themselves in a mirror and appreciate the courage that State Senator Nick Collins is manifesting by standing up to Mayor Michelle Wu, The Boston Globe, and several Democratic Ward Committees by asking common sense questions about Wu’s proposed commercial tax increase.

For several months, the Mayor has advocated for a Home Rule Petition that would significantly increase the operating costs of the already depressed office buildings not only Downtown but in all of the city’s neighborhoods. These increased costs would also impact many small retail and restaurant businesses citywide just as they struggle to return to normalcy after the pandemic. Her numbers have predicted a tax apocalypse for homeowners, particularly for seniors.

The problem is how few politicians, business leaders and journalists have practiced former President Ronald Reagan’s famous comment, “Trust but Verify”. Wu’s numbers it turns out were worst case scenario at best or clearly incorrect when her proposal came before the Senate.

Other than City Councilor Ed Flynn, only Collins, who represents the South End, Seaport and South Boston, has stood up for truth and equity and for the small businesses that give our city its charm and that support so many working families.

Collins has been vilified as a puppet of the real estate industry, anti-senior citizen, and not representing his constituents. We’re waiting for his indictment for creating Original Sin.

God forbid that his suggestion that the city simply cut some of its spending which has increased by eight percent in the last year be implemented. That common sense suggestion could have reduced taxes for all.

Being a public official these days requires (or should require) intellectual honesty and courage. There is no better example of this than Nick Collins and we are honored to be able to name him The Boston Guardian’s Person of the Year.