Mike Jensvold wrote: Why should we even need an exception like "This Old House"? Why should people be taxed more for building better buildings when there is little relationship between expensive structures and public services consumed?
Don sez: The state law popularly known as "This Old House" was conceived as an incentive program. It's based on the notion that there is a benefit to all of us, that people want to keep up their older houses. Improvements benefit everyone, because Minneapolis is thus seen as a city in fairly good condition, compared to many old cities that seem to be falling apart. (There are some big exceptions in low income neighborhoods where folks would like to fix up their homes but cannot afford it!) It was pushed by numerous Minneapolis legislators, such as Carol Flynn, Jane Ranum, Allan Spear and others and had strong support from St. Paul legislators like Ellen Anderson and others. People asked why they should be penalized for fixing up their older houses. Mike asks a simliar question the other way: why should people be penalized for building expensive new buildings? This whole debate about the relationship (or lack thereof) of property value to the services consumed probably helps to show why we should not rely so heavily on property taxes at all to fund essential government services. The "Minnesota Miracle" of the seventies, brought to us by the DFL, was based on the idea that we should not rely so heavily on property taxes. We should base taxation more upon ability to pay. The state can collect income taxes and give aid to local governments (LGA). In recent years (since the Republicans took over the House in 1998), we've cut LGA. Don Jorovsky New Brighton REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
