Tax Talk

Why the latest tax revolt matters:

What we have learned after a half century of property tax revolt is that both property tax limits are required to protect the property rights of citizens. Limits must be imposed on the assessed value of homes to protect the rights of individual homeowners; and limits must be imposed on the amount of property tax revenues that local governments can keep and spend. If a local jurisdiction wants to increase property taxes, or spend revenue above the property tax limit, this should require voter approval. Prop 13 in California, and TABOR in Colorado, set the precedent for effective property tax limits. Both rules must be enacted to protect individual freedom, and the best way to enact these rules is through citizen initiative. The new property tax revolt reveals that many citizens perceive that the government is too big, too expensive, and too intrusive in their daily lives; the initiative process allows citizens to decide how much government they want and are willing to pay for.

You shouldn't have to pay for what you already own...