A Usenet persona calling itself KMAN wrote:
in article , BCITORGB at
wrote on 3/28/05 7:09 PM:
Scott:
==============
Mill levies are set based on the "assessed value" which does factor in
both
use and comparative property values along with parcel size, but while
the
mill levy is set each year, the assessment is changed only about every
five
years. There is no direct link between the income the property
generates
from year to year and the assessable value of the property, so no, the
renters don't pay their "fair share" of the school taxes
===============
Semantics.
frtzw906
It would seem so. Property owners pay property taxes. Landlords are property
owners that must cover the cost of their property taxes through the rents
they charge to tenants. Tenants pay rent which includes the portion of
revenues the landlord must pay in property taxes. If the renters aren't
paying their "fair share" that can only be the case if landlords are not
paying sufficient taxes, which is clearly not the problem or responsibility
of the renters.
It is indeed inherent in the manner in which property taxes are assessed and
collected, and you're quite right that to be fair, renters should be paying
more for schools. To say it's not the problem or responsibility of the
renters is sophistry, however, because they have just as much of an
obligation to support the schools as the property owner.
That's why a national sales tax on consumer goods to fund education for
children is a much more fair way of doing things. By doing so the costs are
paid based on the ability to pay. Rich consumers buy more luxury goods and
thus pay a larger portion of the school costs than poor consumers. There's
nothing wrong with this because consumption is voluntary, and any rich
consumer who doesn't want to fund schools need only stop consuming.
Take that money and dole it out to the STUDENT (not the school district), to
be used to pay for private schooling, and you have a much better, more
effective, efficient and financially sound school system.
--
Regards,
Scott Weiser
"I love the Internet, I no longer have to depend on
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© 2005 Scott Weiser