To the editor:
State Representative:
Apparently you dont know us, but you should.
Our name is Owner-Occupied Taxpayer. You campaigned last fall about property tax relief.
We listened to you….we supported you…we even voted you into office. Now we found that what we heard wasnt Public Service but was Lip Service.
What a surprise!!
You obviously are influenced more by state agencies, lobbyists, special interests, and back room politics. Owner-occupied taxpayers have been detrimentally impacted by extreme increases in assessed valuations/property taxes the last several years. We needed meaningful valuation relief. There were 18 property tax relief bills introduced this past session. Only one halfway measure, SB 216, the Governors bill, passed. Why? Because the agriculture lobbies were afraid the others might shift the property tax burden! Where? To them?
Owner-occupied taxpayers contribute approximately 45% of the total property tax revenue dollars collected statewide. This is followed by commercial taxpayers, then agriculture property in a distant third.
There are over 400,000 owner-occupied households statewide. Were not represented by a lobby….nor by special interests. We thought we were represented by you. Now we really know……who you represent!
Robert Paul
Co-coordinator Tax Relief for Property Owners
Hot Springs
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