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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume X Issue XII Page 13 October 1, 2004 PROPERTY TAXES cont. from page 12 held that the law does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution (the basis of the lawsuit) because it “rationally” furthers a legitimate future revenue downturns in the economy (Cal-Tax Research). Ten years after the passage of Proposition 13, incomes in California grew, as a whole, 50 percent faster than in the rest of the nation, and jobs grew at twice the national rate; gains that were attributed to the pro business climate Proposition 13 brought to the state (Moore). In response to naysayers who predicted large losses in revenue to public entities, in real dollars, California’s budget climbed from $55 billion in 1980 to $97 billion in 1992—a 75 percent increase above inflation. Even with these increases, Proposition 13 moved California from one of the highest tax states in the nation to a slightly above-average tax state relative to taxes based on personal income (Moore). The disruptive shortage of funds anticipated by many never materialized, though some blamed California’s financial troubles in the 1990s to this tax law. In defense, it has been pointed out that California’s real economic woes were a result of a deep recession, which cost the state about one-third of its expected income. The problem was exacerbated b ballot initiative Proposition 98 that required a certain amount of tax revenue to be spent on public schools, regardless of budget shortfalls. These shortfalls were subsidized by property tax revenues that were shifted to meet the state’s obligation for funding education (Fox). In an acquisition-value based system, tax collectors also benefit from greater predictability in the amount of taxes that will be generated each year. High volatility in tax systems leads to lack of predictability and certainty of revenue for governmental agencies for planning, budgeting, and management purposes. Information generated by the California Board of Equalization shows that property tax revenue before the passage of Proposition 13 were 2.9 times more volatile than under the acquisition-value tax system (Cal-Tax Research). Acquisition-value assessments also pro- state interest, and because the state has a rational interest in neighborhood preservation, continuity and stability, and Proposition 13’s system of “locking in” lower tax assessments contributes to such preservation (Cal-Tax Research). Numerous advantages to acquisition value taxation have been proven since the adoption of California’s Proposition 13. Another reason that analysts believe that the law passed by such a strong margin is due to abuses by California assessors, several of which served prison time during the 1960s and 1970s. “The California State Board of Equalization admitted prior to Proposition 13 that ‘no assessor, even one given unlimit- ed resources, could produce an assessment roll in which the appraisal of property was strictly current and precisely accurate in all respects (Cal-Tax Research).’” Opponents also argue, as in the U.S. Supreme Court Case, that the law is discriminatory against taxpayers who have to pay non-uniform taxes. In actuality, acquisition value removes subjective judgments by county assessors, and the broad leeway they have in setting property values—discretionary power that has resulted in the legal action against governmental officials. Other benefits that have been cited include the predictability that Proposition 13 brings to taxpayers and tax collectors. Taxpayers can calculate precisely how much to budget for property taxes each year, well into the future, from the day they purchase their home. They are also safeguarded against prohibitive property tax increases that can drive residents, especially those who are on a fixed incomes, from their homes. For businesses, Proposition 13 has created a stable and fast-growing revenue source with a reserve of value to cushion possible 3290 WASHINGTON BLVD. vide reserve revenue for taxing entities. Unrealized market value that is taxed and collected when properties eventually do change hands ensures a stable revenue flow. This has provided the state with steady revenue flows even when real estate values have fallen. An acquisition-value based assessment tax seems to tempers the highs and the lows, providing a steadier tax flow into governmental coffers. In conclusion, “An acquisition-value standard has advantages for taxpayers and for government. This system is more equitable as it links tax liability to ability to pay more directly than a market-value system. It is also more predictable for taxpayers, removes much of the problem of subjective assessments, and protects homeowners against prohibitive property tax increases during periods of rising values (Cal-Tax Research) While current property rates in Utah have not reached levels at which the public feels they are losing their grip over a g that is growing too powerful by t tipping the economic scales and upsetting the balance of power, there may come a day when Utahans demand an alternate choice in the way they relinquish their power to government; at that point in time, Proposition 13 type legislation seems to be a viable option that residents could benefit from. Works Cited Cal- 2 Research. 1993. “Proposition 13: Love it or Hate it, s Roots Go Deep.” a Fox, Joel. “Proposition 13: A Look Back.” Wwww.hjta. i ae ee a a Historie Overview ofUtah’ s Property Ta: Tax 3.htm Prop13.htm Jerman, Mike, Vice President of the Utah Taxpayers Association. Telephoneinterview. August 23, 2004. Moore, Stephen. 1998. CATO Institute, “Proposition 13 Then, Now and Forever.” http://www.cato.org/dailys/730-98.html NPG State Facts. “Utah.” http://www.npg.org/states/ut.htm Pipes, Richard. cuperty and Freedom. New York: Random House, Inc, 1999 Stephenson, Howard A. Utah State Senator. Telephone interview. August 23, 2004. Truth in Taxation. http://propertytax.utah.gov/about/truth.html Utah Taxpayers Association. “Does Truth-in- ~Taxation Forestall Needed Property Tax Revenues?” ittp://www.utahtaxpayers.org Utah Taxpayers Association. “Property Taxes—How Utah Compares.” http://www.utahtaxpayers.org OGDEN, UTAH 801-399-3319 FALL pace EEZEE : sae —s BALL *WIDER STEPPING AREA* arts festivals; dance, WORKSHOPS cont. from page 1 lecting community input regarding areas such as traffic, pollution, and noise; if and where you’d like to see development such as new trail heads, playgrounds, paved trails, residential/vacation developments, etc.; and what problem areas you would like to see addressed. The plan developer, BIO-WEST, Inc., will use your input, plus similar input from stakeholders, and county officials, and infor- mation they glean from future meetings and research they’re doing nation-wide to develop the recreation element of the Ogden Valley Master Plan as contracted with Weber County. This week’s workshops will be the first of a three part series. The others will be hosted later on this year and in the first part of 2005. This week’s workshop schedule: Wednesday, September 29 at the Weber Center (2380 Wash. Blvd); Room 312, at :00 p.m. Thursday, September 30 at Snowcrest Jr High (Cafeteria area), 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Please plan on attending one of these two workshops. It’s your community! ~, mur =9$15.95 FREE 5) TRUCK BED CAPS roe DSD2DS — | stro rare eon $7 99 a W'!NDSHIELD REPAIR sneer iInstat.aTion im WIPER BLADES PURCHASED mureeersome | attri moe $19.95 AUTO VENTSHADE =, VENT VISORS Coaerirone FIRST REPAIR COUPON REPLACED WINDSHIELDS EXPIRES 10/29/04 REG. $19.95 STEEL BUG ~~ non $79.95 DEFLECTORS TAILGATE PROTECTORS WITH and MOUNT #5118513 STAINLESS FREE multi-cultural = $399.95 Rc Wear ters; theater, and music activities and performances; arts in the schools; literary outreach programs; and tennis, basketball, skateboarding, climbing, and skating facilities. Collected funds would be distributed to qualified non-profit organizations, and city and county entities through a formal proposal process. An informational meeting on r.a.m.p. has been organized by The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS, and will be held October 14 at the Ogden Valley Branch Library in Huntsville at 7:00 p.m. ram.p. organizer Dr. Candadai Bestia! will address the issue and take comments and questions from the audience. SPECIALS CHECK OUT THE ALL NEW 4" OVAL SIDE BARS! DEE ZEE DYNAMAX R.A.M.P. cont. from page 1 Funds raised from a r.a.m.p. sales tax would fund new and existing facilities and programs such as recreational sports fields; walking, biking, equestrian, and cross-country trails; neighborhood parks and pathways; swimming pools and aquatic centers; community recreation cen- 2ec. $34.95 reo. 530.95 arc. $49.95 rec. $50.95 ‘STATE Legislative Service When you elected Joe Murray to represent you in the Utah House of Representatives, he promised to represent the people, not special interests. He has kept his promise. In Joe, you have an elected official who truly puts you and your family first. * Joe listens to the needs of people in his district. At a town meeting in Eden, people told J& him about a problem with tax evaluation on their personal homes in Weber County. Joe sponsored and passed a bill to help correct that inequity, thereby lowering their taxes. * REINFORCED SMOKE ACRYLIC - EASY TO INSTALL RES 10/29/04 Joe shows up to do the work you elected him to do. He continues to have the best voting attendance record in the Utah State House of Representatives. Joe is serving on the hazardous waste regulation task force. He worked and voted not to allow B and C radioactive waste disposal sites in the state of Utah. We are still striving to stop Hi-level radioactive waste from being stored on the Indian reservation in Tooele County. The federal government has spent millions of dollars for a disposal site in Yucca Mountain, Nevada. It looks like that may go through. orthodontics Joe listens to the needs of people in his district. After many accidents at the busy intersection in front of the Harrisville City Hall, Joe worked hard to help get a traffic light installed. He saw how committed the young people, who lost one of their friends in an automobile accident, were in getting a traffic light. As chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Joe went to work, meeting with people at UDOT and talking with anyone who would listen, until they agreed to install the traffic light. Joe received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boys Scouts of America. to summer camp with the boy scouts for 32 years. Joe worked as a firefighter for 37 years in this community. Eden Prof. Center 2580 N. Hwy. 162, #A Eden, UT 801.745.2519 Sera @ xem geez. BOC) UT 84405 801.479.9448 OT a stco a Bes aeelace! 84310 ys sCe Rew reese Gime D le Bice Mc Specialist in Orthodontics Children and Adults ei No Charge For Initial Exam www.shepherdorthodontics.com acid oe eC atom er telot eco R cl arom sata veers Tose He has been He retired as fire chief. Along with their 6 children, Joe and Floy have cared for 3 foster children. One of these children was blind. Joe and his wife Floy have worked many years as volunteer tutors at school in music, reading and fire safety. Please vote to give Joe another term as your Representative Since Joe started campaigning, he has walked through every neighborhood in his district in an effort to better understand your needs. He looks forward to speaking with you. If you have any questions, please call 393-7062, or write Joe Murray at 1030 Peach Drive, Ogden 84404 Paid for by People to Re-elect Joe Murray. |