WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Regional Chamber Of Commerce is once again pushing for the city to have a single tax rate.

Right now, Worcester has a dual tax rate, one for commercial and one for residential properties.

The city council will hold its annual tax classification hearing Tuesday. For the last several years, the council has voted to raise the tax rate on businesses by a higher percentage than homeowners. The chamber said it’s forcing some businesses out of the city.

"In 1984, when the dual tax rate was enacted in Worcester, 35% of the city's tax base came from the business community, meaning our commercial and industrial” said Alex Guardiola, vice president of government affairs and public policy. “This year, only 20% of our tax base comes from the commercial and industrial, down from 22% last year. So businesses continue to vote with their feet, showing that they're going to other communities that are going to be more tax friendly and business friendly."

Supporters of the higher commercial rate say it helps ease the financial burden on home owners.