Henry George Foundation of America
There is a better way to finance our governments, combat sprawl without breaking the public bank, and provide incentives that will encourage sustainable practices without establishing new layers of intrusive and uncaring bureaucracy.
"The bottom line is that land value taxation provides city officials with a revenue source that does not damage the urban economy. It allows the city to avoid reliance on other taxes that can undermine urban development, such as local wage and income taxes that encourage businesses to locate elsewhere." Joan Youngman, senior fellow and chair of the Department of Valuation and Taxation at the Lincoln Institute.
"Henry George was driven to contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth, his criteria to evaluate policies were sound economics."
Implementation of a Land Value Tax would extend some of the tax relief enjoyed by 10 year abatement properties to all productive property owners and shift most of the added burden to the underutilized and vacant land across the city that has been benefiting from low taxes for decades.
A tax on land, if properly enforced, cannot be avoided and thus is one of the most reliable sources for revenue. Special case hardships could apply for short-term deferrals or long-term liens, either of which would freeze increases for qualified applicants.
Land Values and Public Transportation: An Essential Link
PA Chapter of the American Planning Association
