Cunninghams_right t1_it13y4o wrote on October 20, 2022 at 4:09 AM

Reply to comment by Xanny in Reddit Democracy by bearjew64

you're focusing on the microcosm of problem that are solved by LVT and ignoring the problems created. meanwhile, the city could absolutely pass ordinances so places like 37-41W Preston get fined up the wazoo and could solve that problem if they wanted.

Xanny t1_it15uuf wrote on October 20, 2022 at 4:29 AM

What problems are created, again? As we already discussed the homestead tax exemption in MD already protects current residents from seeing huge upswings in property tax, and you already claimed and I rebutted that vacants don't pay taxes or that nobody buys tax defunct property

The city could pass a piecemeal of ordinances to address this, or it could just reform the tax code - something people have been hankering for for years, anyway - in a way that adds revenue and creates positive rather than perverse incentives (atm, improving your property makes you pay more in taxes, and at such high property tax rates as Bmore city has, it means you are pressured to make your property minimally functional for your needs to avoid paying more taxes).

Cunninghams_right t1_it2uomt wrote on October 20, 2022 at 3:12 PM

you rebutted that people buy tax defunct property but have not shown that they would do so if such properties were required to bare the majority of the city's tax burden.

it is also not true that people stop improving houses to avoid taxes. look at the renovated houses in wealthier neighborhoods like roland park or bolton hill. people renovate those and make them amazing.

you're hand waving away all the problems.