The inequities caused in the city of Philadelphia’s property tax policy - taxing buildings higher than land - has contributed to the situation noted in today’s Daily News article, "slumlord gives Port Richmond a splitting headache". For decades, the civic minded, hardworking, and dedicated property owners Economics Rights have been violated by slumlords and privileged speculators. 

Land, a natural resource, is the common heritage of all citizens not simply the privileged out of town speculator or slumlord. We are all aware; it is our society that provides benefits that are vital to people’s welfare. The welfare of this city is not dependant on neither an individual nor a single group but by ALL in partnership with our elected officials. We need to meet as individuals, groups and as elected officials to enact a land tax policy that could deter speculators and the privileged slumlords yet reward the citizens of this city that are doing the right thing.

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. We need our council members to provide a bill that will enact a land-value tax/universal abatement that could recognize those rights for the communities in this city.

The Henry George Foundation of America through assistance from the Center for the Study of Economics have researched and produced empirical studies on the effects of land-value incremental tax (LVT). To date, 17 jurisdictions in Pennsylvania have successfully enacted LVT, including the cities of Harrisburg and Allentown, with New London, CT to follow in 2010.

Philadelphia on the Edge: The Port Richmond Neighborhood