“Tax reform” won’t be debated by Halifax city council this week after all.
City staff had repeatedly told me they had hoped to put the “tax reform” issue on the December 15 council agenda, but the item is conspicuously absent from the agenda, which was made public late Friday afternoon.
Agendas are compiled by mayor Peter Kelly and senior management staff at City Hall.
After this week’s meeting, council does not meet again until into the new year.
This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2009.
Brutal. I hope the tax reform passes soon and that city hall hasn’t been swayed by Tim’s one-sided and terrible flawed article.
I can’t imagine why liverpool F.C. thinks this tax reform is good for the average tax payer. It might sound like a cliche, but it is a cash grab from the middle class. The rich who can afford the property taxes and have chosen to live in expensive houses get big tax cuts and people who are struggling to maintain their modest home, will see taxes climb by a jaw dropping percentage. I don’t understand why every single home owner hasn’t knocked down city hall’s front door. This is completly crazy! People understand so little about finances and taxes that they can’t see the full picture and how bad this is for the average person. How is it fair for someone who lives in halifax in a $150,000 home will pay so much more (ratio) than a 500,000 home. Once again the government has proven that they are there for the rich and powerful. Most of the people voting for this tax reform do not have unbiased views since most of them will get a reduction in property taxes under the new reform. Wow, sounds great to me.
From Allan B. “I don’t understand why every single home owner hasn’t knocked down city hall’s front door. This is completly crazy!”
Possibly because this affects a portion of HRM’s population in a positive way. Personally I will see my property taxes drop under this new proposal. I live on the far reaches of HRM and therefore use very few city services and feel somewhat cheated when I receive my tax bill. I may show up with you at city hall to knock down the front door, but I will be there only to rush in and shake the councillors hands.
I agree with Liverpool F.C. I have found Tim’s articles to be slightly one-sided. He has chosen absolute extremes when comparing property valuations. I suppose next we will see a comparison of those living on Young Ave, and how they are getting such a great tax break compared to those living on Creighton St. Meanwhile, neither of these area represents the average property owner.
Does the proposed tax system yield the same revenue so that HRM can provide the same level of service or the city be working with less money?