Rain-soaked Oregonians may doubt that water scarcity could ever be an issue. But, in some parts of the state, we live in a land of water overabundance and also of failing drinking water systems.
I question using the word "artificial" to describe property tax limits. Voters are the ultimate authority, not the elected officials who raise taxes. Property taxes in Multnomah County are very high, much higher than in San Diego County, when I lived there about ten years ago. We also have robust state income taxes in Oregon. I agree there is a need for the programs described in this blog, I just think there must be other sources of income to implement them. Perhaps existing tax revenues could be reallocated. It's doubtful that all of it is being used wisely.
I appreciate the thoughtful response. I hope it is clear that assessed value *is* held artificially low, by ballot measure, relative to market value. It is not the property tax rate that I am discussing, which varies by jurisdiction and has add-ons voted in by residents; ballots measures limited to 1990s level + 3% max increase per year the value of a property, such that most properties are assessed at a level much lower than their market value (the amount you could gain by selling the property). Reforming M5 and M50 could also reinstate the numerous state-paid exemptions that have mostly gone away, leaving counties, cities and fire/school districts with enough revenue for services while protecting vulnerable/poor Oregonians. And you are right: existing property tax revenue can be used more wisely, and in Yamhill County, criminal justice budgets take up 75%+ of property tax $ and growing every year. Thank you!
I question using the word "artificial" to describe property tax limits. Voters are the ultimate authority, not the elected officials who raise taxes. Property taxes in Multnomah County are very high, much higher than in San Diego County, when I lived there about ten years ago. We also have robust state income taxes in Oregon. I agree there is a need for the programs described in this blog, I just think there must be other sources of income to implement them. Perhaps existing tax revenues could be reallocated. It's doubtful that all of it is being used wisely.
I appreciate the thoughtful response. I hope it is clear that assessed value *is* held artificially low, by ballot measure, relative to market value. It is not the property tax rate that I am discussing, which varies by jurisdiction and has add-ons voted in by residents; ballots measures limited to 1990s level + 3% max increase per year the value of a property, such that most properties are assessed at a level much lower than their market value (the amount you could gain by selling the property). Reforming M5 and M50 could also reinstate the numerous state-paid exemptions that have mostly gone away, leaving counties, cities and fire/school districts with enough revenue for services while protecting vulnerable/poor Oregonians. And you are right: existing property tax revenue can be used more wisely, and in Yamhill County, criminal justice budgets take up 75%+ of property tax $ and growing every year. Thank you!