Bill Finch was elected Mayor of Bridgeport in November 2007, after serving seven years in the State Senate representing the 22^nd Senatorial District.

As a state legislator and as Mayor of Bridgeport, Bill Finch has been one of the leading voices in Connecticut on tax reform. Mayor Finch joined with the mayors of Hartford, New Haven and New London in 2008 to urge the state to fully fund its Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) program, which would offset the revenue burden on municipalities that are home to crucial tax-exempt institutions like colleges and hospitals. A full reimbursement under the PILOT program would provide much-needed relief to cities and towns across the state, and with full funding, the PILOT program would add $5 million to the Bridgeport city budget.

Mayor Finch also is a strong proponent of property tax reform. He continues to work to create a car tax exemption and a homestead exemption for one, two and three-family owner-occupied residences in Connecticut. He also supports a property tax freeze for senior citizens. In 2008, the Mayor was recognized for his tax reform efforts with the Regional Impact Award by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.

On the national front, Mayor Finch was elected to the Advisory Board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors during their summer 2009 meeting held in Providence, R.I. The Advisory Board works with the Executive Committee of the national organization on policy and program matters. The Mayor's election to the board affords the City a greater opportunity to interact with federal-level officials on a more regular basis, which will help raise the awareness of and promote the City's agenda all the way to the White House. He also is a member of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports and Community Development and Housing Standing Committees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.