Source: EconLog
by John Phelan
“A revolt is building across the United States against property taxes. From Florida to North Dakota, states have attempted or are attempting to abolish them. The anger driving this movement comes from two sources. One is the belief that you are being taxed for living in your house. ‘Is the property yours or are you just renting from the government?’ Florida governor Ron DeSantis asked. … The second driving force is that property tax burdens are often tied to the notional market value of an asset — your house — rather than to the owner’s ability to pay or the cost of providing the services the tax finances. … The first of these points is based on a misapprehension (albeit an understandable one, given the second point).” (09/24/25)