Comments on: Hundreds pack AZ Federation of Taxpayers’ 3rd Annual Legislative Awards Luncheon

By: copd symptoms

copd symptoms — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:15:16 +0000

nice submit, its helpful to my family.

By: Mark Zemel

Mark Zemel — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:02:54 +0000

Clarification of a minor item: Your article misses the point made by long standing Hero Of The Taxpayer, Treasurer Dean Martin. Considering Mr. Martins outstanding track record of efficient and open government I wanted to clarify. Your article states Mr. Martin said Hillary Clinton got him into office…Here is what he really said. “Ronald Reagan piqued my interested in politics, but it took Hillary Clinton to cause me to run for office.”
Thank you,
Mark Z.

By: Jon Altmann

Jon Altmann — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:50:00 +0000

This was a great luncheon and I was grateful to get further educated thanks to Chad Kirkpatrick and his invitation to attend.
As someone who has made the run at Phoenix City Council and now taking a shot at LD11 Representative, this luncheon and the large number of folks attending sends a clear message – it is about Good Government, not More Government.
People want their government to be responsive for those things we need the most – public safety, taking care of those at risk, public infrastructure. People should have to pay for more government that serves only making more bureaucracy.
I was especially impressed with the gentlemen from New Jersey who, while legally blind, got his MBA and still had to work hard against the system to say he simply wanted to work and carry his load in life – and not live off the public dole. We are supposed to have evolved a system to provide for equal access for those who have challenges – instead, the system is the challenge along with other short-sighted employers. Just think, Thomas Edison today would have been told to get food stamps and SSI payments.
I am proud of the many fine Arizonans who have worked hard to establish a voice for the common man – i.e., the taxpayer. I, for one, am for the “little guy” because I am one – and any of us working in and around public office must always keep that focus.

By: Tim S.

Tim S. — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:42:30 +0000

Thanks for the clarification. I’m going to have to read it a few more times to understand it, but that’s likely a reflection of me, not you! Hopefully there is a sound-bite version of your answer that you can pull out at campaign time. Good luck to you and your campaign!

By: Marc Goldstone

Marc Goldstone — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:02:38 +0000

Dear Tim,

If my post appeared to be self serving, I apologize but given the 1 1/2 years I have devoted to this project without compensation and out of a sense of frustration with the present taxation system, I am understandably proud of what it will do for you and all present and future Arizona property owners!

You have a good question and it has a simple answer. Government revenue will be controlled by the levy limits. Valuations under our system merely divide that tax burden between the property owners based on value. Today value is based on market, which is about the purchase price for a new home. Since the Tax Revolt no longer uses the market value (Full Cash Value) to compute your taxes it is allowed to change to reflect inflation in the real estate market. The Uniform Property Value (UPV) that we define and limit to a 2% increase each year is used to compute your taxes.

Now UPV is set equal to the UPV of homes in your immediate area of equal FCV. Since inflation will be reflected in FCV for each such property it drops out of the equation and your UPV only reflects the intrinsic or 2003 baseline value of your property. To put this in perspective when you purchase your home you will pay the same tax as the previous owner because your UPV does not change!

If this is not clear give me a call and let’s talk.

Marc
(928) 754-8305

By: Tim S.

Tim S. — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 02:35:45 +0000

Thanks for the rather self-serving post there Marc. Still, while we’ve got you here, how do you address my concern that we will create two classes of real estate under your initiative.

Old homes that have been capped at 2% for 30 years that are NOT revalued when they are sold, so like rent-controlled apartments they are well below the second group of homes which are new or newer and do not have the artificially low taxes.

I’d prefer something where the valuation was adjusted when the property was sold. If you’re paying $600,000 for a house you expect a tax bill based on a valuation of $600,000, and from there it couldn’t go up more than 2% per year. But buying a $600,000 home that will continue to be valued as a $250,000 home is just plain wrong.

What am I missing?

By: Bahamamamasmama

Bahamamamasmama — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:48:09 +0000

Congratulations on your work keeping taxpayers informed and involved in policy decision-making. Wally the Wallet’s IOU reminds us that the programs elected officials implement “for the children” end up leaving a legacy of debt for those future taxpayers. Keep up the great work!

By: Marc Goldstone

Marc Goldstone — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:25:07 +0000

What a great meeting of like minded folks involved in and outside of government!

In addition to the keynote speakers it was a wonderful opportunity for many of Arizona’s movers and shakers to learn of the Arizona Property Tax Revolt initiatives to rollback both levies, (property tax revenue to each taxing entity) and valuations which will no longer cause tax increases because of real estate price inflation. Though inspired by California’s famous Prop 13, with an identical 2% maximum tax increase, several improvements including a baseline rather than an acquisition based valuations system will assure that even our kids and grandkids will not pay more takes due to real estate price inflation.

To learn more about the Arizona Tax Revolt, to join as a volunteer or to contribute in other ways please visit our WEB site: http://www.ArizonaTaxRevolt.ORG

Marc Goldstone, Chair.
Arizona Tax Revolt
(928) 754-8305

By: DSW

DSW — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 06:34:32 +0000

Pat,

Excellent report on the luncheon! Sorry I couldn’t make it!