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Slumlords - LVT could bring a resolution
"How, in the city promoted as Historical Philadelphia, home of Independence Hall where the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights was signed, has it been so easy for privileged speculators and slumlords to swoop in and violate our economic rights? It has been through the current property tax policy."
States Could Reduce Taxes for Most Taxpayers while Stimulating their Economies
23 brief summaries of empirical studies
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?
Land Value Taxation – the Case for Right Now
Our Foundation has been researching and implementing land value taxation since 1926 Our experience statewide in research on the land tax and in issues concerning implementation is second to none. Currently 21 jurisdictions employ this program in Pennsylvania. We bring you a message from these cities and their officials: shifting taxes from buildings to land value works, is practical and should be done. In times of recession, with falling revenues from taxation of business and work, Philadelphia must eventually accept that a well-constructed real estate tax, based primarily on land value is a fair, stable and efficient source of public revenue.
Announcing a series of Classes on Why Our Economy is (not) Working
The theoretical underpinning of land value tax is based on a philosophy of economic justice and sanity that does not depend on the old assumptions of "left" and "right." Learn more at a series of classes on the subject of why land value tax is a unique and essential tool for any person or any government.
Saturday morning with the land value tax - January 24, 2009
Join the staff of the Henry George Foundation for coffee and crumpets as we look at how exactly LVT will work, either as part of a property tax shift from buildings, or as a part of a budget-deficit plugging package. Data, maps and straight talk. Graphics will make what may seem like a dry subject come alive.
Talking Taxes in South Philly
The Citizens' Budget Session Include two-minute videos. HGFA jumps into the mix...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
