Grassroots resistance against property taxes is increasing, fueled by influential conservatives
The movement to eliminate property taxes is gathering steam, particularly among Republican politicians and conservative groups. This push for change has been echoed by influential figures such as billionaire Elon Musk, who likened property taxes to a "de facto lease from the government" that should be abolished.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to move his state in the direction of eliminating property taxes. The Sunshine State collected about $60 billion in property taxes last year, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. However, Jared Walczak, the vice president of State Projects at the Tax Foundation, cautions that few communities could overcome the elimination of property taxes.
Ohio's Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy launched his campaign for governor with a speech declaring the need to bring down property taxes in the state, eventually down to zero. Ramaswamy has since softened his stance, saying he would eliminate income taxes and "cap" property taxes, but his campaign did not clarify the shift.
Meanwhile, the Club for Growth, a conservative group funded by billionaire GOP donors, is discussing the issue of property taxes with lawmakers and gubernatorial candidates, and is closely tracking its rise. David McIntosh, president of the Club for Growth, stated that conservatives who oppose cutting property taxes to fund big government are RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) that will be held accountable.
The movement to eliminate property taxes is not without controversy. Critics argue that rural and residential areas lack the retail base to rely on sales tax as a replacement for property taxes. Brian Massie, leader of a citizens group in Ohio, suggested charging fees for fire department calls, adding more toll roads, and selling annual park and library passes as potential alternatives to property taxes. He emphasized that the financial burden of property taxes is particularly distressing for struggling families and seniors on fixed incomes.
The defeat of the property tax elimination ballot initiative in North Dakota last year was a considerable setback for the movement, but it has continued to gain momentum in other states. An unusual coalition of labor groups, progressive organizations, business leaders, and Republicans and Democrats in North Dakota banded together to defeat a ballot initiative that would have ended property taxes in the state last year.
However, Chad Oban, a Democratic operative who led the opposition campaign in North Dakota, warned that the movement could spread to other states if the anger over property taxes is ignored. Republican firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia recently argued for making the elimination of property taxes a national priority.
Despite the lack of available information about which voices supported or opposed a 2021 North Dakota referendum to abolish property taxes, the movement to eliminate property taxes is undeniably gaining traction. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this shift in tax policy will impact local governments and citizens across the country.
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