Property Tax Laws Must Change!-
September 5, 2007

    Editor:

Try to imagine the unthinkable: a long time, honest law abiding family is forced out of the home they have lived in for years by the government because they can not afford rapidly rising property taxes. They lose everything. Or, what about the landlord who must pass rising property tax increases along to their tenant, the family can’t afford the rent increase, and they are evicted into the streets. It could happen, and maybe is.

Our current property tax laws provide for the Assessor to reassess our property values every year according to a current market comparison formula. In essence, this determines the amount of funds that are potentially available for the various government agencies to spend (some more so than others). When property values rise rapidly, like they have the last couple of years – especially in some areas - there is the potential for property taxes to rise rapidly, all within the letter of the law. This is what was happening thirty years ago in California, until the voters brought the government property tax laws under control with the Jarvis initiatives.

Now we have the chance to do the same thing here in Arizona as they did in California. The Arizona Tax Revolt movement has successfully filed two initiatives with the State for the election next year. One of the initiatives will roll property assessments back to 2003 values. The second initiative will limit the amount of property tax increase each year, unless a higher increase is specifically approved by voters. These initiatives, if voted into law, will finally assure that we – especially the fixed and low income residents - will not be forced out of our homes or apartments due to unreasonably high tax increases.

In order to make the ballot in next year’s elections, approximately 230,000 signatures must be collected as soon as possible. I urge every registered voter in the State of Arizona, whether you own property or rent, to sign both petitions for the two initiatives. Petitions are available for signature at Dollar Daze, 1009 W Arizona Ave (next to old theatre), or up river at Security Real Estate, 10186 Riverside Drive (one block west of the light on the strip).

PLEASE DON’T DELAY. SIGN THE PETITIONS NOW AND DO YOUR PART TO CONTROL GOVERNMENT SPENDING. IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST!!!

Paul Michelson