So, the long-overdue real estate revaluations that are going to increase your tax bill? Not a tax hike, according to the mayor’s office .
The mayor’s people are arguing that the revaluations are accounting for the rise in real estate values, so there’s not really a raise in taxes coming up. Riiiiiighht. Just like the shale gas fee isn’t really a tax. Next thing you know we’ll be looking to Grover Nordquist for support.
Local critics like Tom Ferrick and Brett Mandel are quick to point out that yes, the city is raising taxes again. It’s Our Money also has a pretty good summary of the issues.
Philadelphia wants to avoid the unprecedented distinction of raising broad-base (sales, wage and/ or property) taxes four years running.
The facts are, the average homeowner is expected to pay more, and the city wants to bring in an additional $90 million dollars (in addition to making permanent the extra revenue brought in from the “temporary” tax raises of the past two years). So people are paying more, and the city is collecting more. That’s a tax hike.
The annoying part about this is that usually one of Mayor Nutter’s better qualities is owning his policies and going to bat to defend them even when they’re criticized and unpopular. If you need to raise taxes to give more money to schools just say so. Why all the spin?
So, the long-overdue real estate revaluations that are going to increase your tax bill? Not a tax hike, according to the mayor’s office .
The mayor’s people are arguing that the revaluations are accounting for the rise in real estate values, so there’s not really a raise in taxes coming up. Riiiiiighht. Just like the shale gas fee isn’t really a tax. Next thing you know we’ll be looking to Grover Nordquist for support.
Local critics like Tom Ferrick and Brett Mandel are quick to point out that yes, the city is raising taxes again. It’s Our Money also has a pretty good summary of the issues.
Philadelphia wants to avoid the unprecedented distinction of raising broad-base (sales, wage and/ or property) taxes four years running.
The facts are, the average homeowner is expected to pay more, and the city wants to bring in an additional $90 million dollars (in addition to making permanent the extra revenue brought in from the “temporary” tax raises of the past two years). So people are paying more, and the city is collecting more. That’s a tax hike.
The annoying part about this is that usually one of Mayor Nutter’s better qualities is owning his policies and going to bat to defend them even when they’re criticized and unpopular. If you need to raise taxes to give more money to schools just say so. Why all the spin?
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