Updates

Henry George School of Social Science Free Courses SPRING 2010

Afternoon and Evening Classes begin the week of April 12th, 2010 Once a Week for Ten Weeks. Part I:FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMICS, Part II:Applied Economics and Part III:Economic Science. Free Friday Films: 04/16 MONEY AS DEBT, 05/07 BLUE GOLD: WORLD WATER WARS , 06/11 MANUFACTURING CONSENT

Fixing Property Tax Accounting Issues

The accounting now used for valuing real property contains a fixable flaw, a flaw that has severely undermined our Common Wealth communities for decades. By devaluing land use, thereby placing emphasis on the structures placed on that land, we have encouraged rent-seekers whose “contribution” of vacant lots/blighted neighborhood areas are consuming city funds that could be used to build up as opposed to tear down this city.

Philadelphia 2011 Budget

What will happen his year?

Now, more than ever LVT

Land values becoming the basis of the property tax system right now will serve as a fairer transition towards and after adoption to new values. Remember, it was November 2002 that 80% of voters in Philadelphia approved (through ballot) creation of the Tax Reform Commission, which recommended implementation of LVT.

Fixing a Hole Where the Rain Gets In

On an individual house-by-house basis, the City will provide: 1. Homebuyer Incentives, 2. Purchase and Renovation, 3. Gap-Financing for Market-Catalyzing Anchor Developments Our Common Wealth’s Big Concern: the Taxes. The firms that do the work will pay the same high business privilege taxes. The materials to build the houses will pay an 8% sales tax (assuming the contractors buy in Philadelphia instead of Delaware). Presuming that these homes will be on the tax rolls, does this not consign each and every rescued home to a higher assessment, and therefore a higher tax bill?

Free Community Workshops

 

The Foreclosures of Philadelphia: A daunting challenge

To reside in Philadelphia means paying a flat and regressive wage tax, a punitive 8% sales tax on many essential items, and then, homeowners must meet a mortgage obligation in a city with a property tax policy that penalizes the homeowner for maintaining their home. Land value tax/AXI is a remedy - With a simple shift in rates to a heaver tax on land values, in the first year, one actual homeowner facing foreclosure could save 10% on their annual tax bill.

HGFA Trustee on the Airwaves

Massachusetts needs revenue and HGFA Trustee, Al Hartheimer spent time with Steve D'Agostino of WICN Public Radio in New England to explain how LVT could be the solution. Take a moment to listen to the podcast ...

Lets Make the Best Deal on Tax Reform

Why are so many Philadelphians struggling with back taxes? Could it be they're carrying an unfair burden to begin with?

Last Round of Community Meetings Ends

 

Uncertain of the Future at Microsoft High

 

One Person's Lot is Another Person's Loot

 

More Bad Budget News For Philadelphia

 

A Link To A Good Debate

 

5-6-2009 Testimony on Land Value Taxation

The process of the final push for LVT in Philadelphia for FY2010 will begin this afternoon. Here is the testimony our organization will be presenting. Our goal is to get a full hearing on the subject.

Recipe for Muting the Economic Crisis: Announce a Fire Sale for City Land

If Philadelphia is desperately in need of money, then a sale of the millions of dollars worth of vacant land holding to increase cash flow now and expand the tax base tomorrow makes dollars and sense.

City Paper's Cover Story

Why a holistic economic program that gives special emphasis to land - and yes - land value taxation is so essential to Philadelphia. Courtesy of one of our board Members, Paul Glover.

We Need An LVT Fix

The Philadelphia Public Record goes on the record as the first local paper to endorse a land value tax to tackle the budget crisis.

The Mayor Wants Your Comments

This budget crisis is real, and needs constructive commentary and suggestions. To that end, the Mayor of Philadelphia's Office has a questionnaire in which every citizen should participate.

Moving our office and web sites

Users please note: we may be offline periodically between now and March 31, 2009. We thank you for your patience.