After I studied HB 581 in preparation for my article this month, I heard a variety of arguments both for and against it. I think many opinions come from taxpayers’ eagerness to lower our property taxes. I’m in full agreement that we as a county should find a way to lessen property taxes, especially for the elderly. But I don’t think HB 581 fits our county well. We should all work together to abolish property taxes because they are wicked. And I’d like to expound on the wickedness of property taxes below in an attempt to motivate my fellow citizens.
As an aside, I commend Commissioner Eddie Rowland for his efforts in trying to understand HB 581. This bill has been thrown onto our county commissioners from the state. It’s demanding large amounts of time and effort from each of them. This bill is one of many tasks our leaders tackle behind the scenes, and they bear the responsibility well. Please don’t compare national politicians to most of our local people, as you’d be comparing apples and oranges. From my interactions with our local politicians thus far, they actually do care about us as citizens. They genuinely want what’s best for Monroe County.
But don’t read that and view me as an apologist for local politicians. I reserve my harshest critiques for those I talk with in person. The reality of property taxes was one element I had to consider often while writing the article for Monroe Matters this month. After thinking at length and reading specifically on the ethics of property taxes, I conclude that they are outright wicked.
The Bible establishes personal property rights. But it also tells me that sometimes my personal property is to be given away. One instance of this is in the form of taxes. Jesus commands me to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”. And I try desperately to follow His command with joy (though I’ve yet to reach that level of holiness). Nevertheless, not all taxes are on equal ground. Property taxes are unfair and immoral. They are wicked.
Imagine both of my parents die and will their property to me as part of my inheritance. But it turns out that I’m not employed at such a level that I can pay to keep up with the property taxes. Therefore, I am deprived of the use of my family’s holdings just because of my economic position. A shoe repairman doesn’t become a lawyer just because he inherits property. When you tax him at the rate of a lawyer, you will eventually confiscate his property. And that is wicked.
Or consider another analogy, which may strike closer to home: suppose a man has worked hard all his life. He’s looking forward to enjoying his property after many years of hard labor. But since property taxes keep on, he is eventually forced to sell his property. He can’t meet the property tax burden in his retirement income stage. So he’s forced to sell his property to escape the tax. Property tax is a wicked machine that keeps gobbling and gobbling. It discriminates and oppresses all it touches.
One size does not fit all, and this saying applies to HB 581. This bill doesn’t change the amount of taxes the county receives, it only changes where the money comes from and who pays. HB 581 is a “one step forward, three steps back” type deal. In the ballot box, it claimed to lower your property taxes. Factually it does, but before you save a few dollars, you die the death of a thousand qualifications. Part B of the bill really doesn’t do much for citizens.
Part C, in my opinion, is useful at first glance. Sure, no one likes tax increases. Heck, that’s why I voted in favor of HB 581 in November. I saw the opportunity for fewer taxes and affirmed it impulsively. But I didn’t do the work as a responsible citizen to understand what I was voting into law. However, after I understood it better, I reasoned I’d be for opting in to part B so that we can potentially enact a part C. Since property taxes are wicked, any effort to lessen or abolish them should be excitedly favored by citizens.
But after talking with many county and city officials, they consistently point out that another increase in sales tax would hurt several local business. Dealerships, for example, would be first on the list. A 1% increase adds up when purchasing a vehicle. So HB 581 is once again not useful overall when fully fleshed out at our local level.
I suspect other citizens may take a similar path as I have after considering HB 581. In November, I thought I voted for less property taxes. Then I learned about the intricacies and innumerable issues with the bill. Then I found a way to still like it. But finally, after seeing how this particular bill would hurt our local businesses, I’m against it.
Monroe County has options in place to help out our elderly population with their property taxes. Visit the tax office and they’ll help you with the necessary documentation. Monroe County needs its own legislation to help our specific county with her specific citizens. Property taxes should be abolished one day, but it won’t ever happen without citizens getting involved.
Finally, I encourage the people of Monroe County to place a little more trust in our elected officials. Trust them, and by all means verify them. I believe that we can keep improving our county by choosing to work together, assume the best of our neighbors, and build up one another. I know we can do this, because we all agree: Monroe Matters.
