On grim realities and escapism Rethinking Proposition 13

SF Chronicle ^ | 1/13/03 | Staff

[Koblenz]

I'm all for low property taxes, but I think you are most equitable when you assess all properties using fair market value. All properties should be reassessed at the same time. To reassess only when a property changes hands encourages people not to sell their property and find a better location. It has the same effect as a capital gains tax: it keeps capital tied up because a tax event is triggered upon the sale.

[Uncle Hal]

Let me tell you folks, we must be vigilent on Prop. 13. The liberals are licking their chops to get at this huge source of money. I believe the legislature will not tinker without going back to the voters. Then they will have all the liberal press lined up supporting the increase. We must fight any change, no matter how small, with all the power well have. Once they start changing things they will not stop.

[tubebender]

To reassess only when a property changes hands encourages people not to sell their property and find a better location.

Ping me when you arrive in Ca and we'll discuss the absurdity of that statement.

[Gophack]

The Legislature still needs a 2/3 vote to get any change to Prop. 13 on the ballot, and I don't think they can do it.

HOWEVER, the unions et. al. are working on a variety of initiatives for the March 2004 and November 2004 ballots, and they could try and get the signatures for something to tweek or remove Prop. 13. We DO need to be vigilent.

[maria2003]

The major problem with Prop 13 is that it included landlords in the tax protection. As an example, my landlady owns a building she paid less than $30,000 for 30 years ago, is currently assessed at about $66,000, and pays about $650 a year in property taxes. This is a 4 unit building in SF easily worth over $2 million (even in the wretched state she keeps it in). She collects at least $50,000 a year in rents. She could easily afford to pay more taxes. It's a crime that she isn't. I'm all for protecting families and especially the elderly from huge tax increases, but people who own property for profit and not for their own housing need to start paying up. They CAN afford it. If they can't, they can sell their buildings and choose a different line of work.

[randita]

Your landlady will not pay the increased taxes. You, as her tenant, will be the one paying the increased taxes in higher rent.