Property taxes and schools

[Annie]

It's completely unfair and probably not constitutional. I'm biased though, I've seen elderly neighbors nearly lose their homes because of riddiculous property taxes. Personally I'm with the Baron on this one. Property taxes are unjustified and practically make the land you own a government lease. Then again, the city needs to make money, so it's complex. I just think that it'd be "fairer" then the system we've got.

I agree. Property tax funding is completely unfair on many levels, as are funding the schools through the value. However, it's also created a relationship between property values and education. If someone has made an 'average salary' for their lives, then retires for over 20 years, their pension probably won't keep up with their property taxes, especially in more 'affluent' areas. That is very sad. No, I am NOT being sarcastic. On the other end of the age spectrum, many that would LIKE to get their kids into that same school district, cannot afford to buy the houses from the older residents, if they wanted to sell.

If I had chosen to move to an area with less successful schools, I could have bought a pretty decent 3 bedroom/2 ba house. Instead I bought a townhouse. Was a choice, though my kids would probably have done ok in another district, I just went with the more brand name.

Life is not always fair, but always offers choices.

 

[BaronVonBigmeat]

Another reason property taxes suck: they are based on the (imagined) market value of your land, thus they punish you for improving your property. If you take pride in your community and build a beautiful, classy building it will be taxed more than the tacky strip mall. Ever wonder why "they don't build em like that anymore" when it comes to architecture? Value-based property taxes are a big part of it. Actually there are some cities which are shifting over to a property tax based on square footage because of this, although this is better in my view, I'm not thrilled about any property taxes to be honest.

 

[USViking]

The investment in education is vital to all citizens,
and to the future of the cpountry as well as the present,
and every old codger should write the damn check and
get over it.

Besides, what do you do about renters? I rent, and certainly
pay my landlord's property tax through my rent. If landlords
are told they have to give seniors a $50 or so dollar a month
break on property tax, do you think the younger renters, many
of whom are childless, are going to be real happy about having
the difference passed on to them? Would it be fair?

This is just another case of social engineering, which would be
more appropriate if seriously aired on a Blue State board

 

[softwaremama]

It would be unfair if certain groups don't have to pay property taxes.
In general, property value is based on the community's value. Excellent schools improve property value; thus, everyone benefits when they sell their homes. As such, all must pay their share, whether they have/had/never have had/never will have children.

It's got to be a community effort for all to benefit.

 

[Mr. P]

It would be unfair if certain groups don't have to pay property taxes.
In general, property value is based on the community's value. Excellent schools improve property value; thus, everyone benefits when they sell their homes. As such, all must pay their share, whether they have/had/never have had/never will have children.

It's got to be a community effort for all to benefit.

BS socialist blabber, go to the commune comrade!

Show me and excellent school system in the US, compared to say, Japan, funded by property taxes and I'll buy that bridge ya got for sale. We are not paying for excellence, we are paying for incompetence.
They want more money every year, and we get less and less.