Fix The Property Assessments!

By Shaun Pierce

There a story out today on yet another yet another property assessment plan for 2006. This thing has more sequels then "Rocky". For those of you counting, this is Dan Onorato's fourth attempt to update property values in Allegheny county. As a homeowner in said county, I'm a bit fed up with it.

His latest plan would do away with using home-sales prices to determine how much a house is worth. That's good because prices flux are not consistent. It also not fair for a person on a fixed income who bought their home 30 years for $30,000 to be told their home is now worth $100,000 and be taxed on that amount.

The county has spent a ton of time and money (our money) trying to figure all this out. Meanwhile, I continue to see people flee to the surrounding counties to escape the tax madness.

Dan Onorato was elected based on public anger over the 2002 assessments numbers. Now he wants to go back to using those same numbers. After two years we are back where we started.

I have a gift for Mr. Onorato and all those who live in Allegheny County. I'm going to tell how to fix this mess.... STOP TAXING PROPERTY! We should pay a tax when we buy a home. We should pay a tax when we sell a home if we make a profit on that sale. Other then that there is no reason for all this.

No other personal property is taxed every year. It's based on profit and loss. The mere fact that people are losing their homes over this ought to be enough to acknowledge and fix the problem. State and local governments need to return to funding education together.

The loss of tax revenue is not an issue here. There is plenty of money to fund education while getting rid of property taxes. We just need some leaders in Harrisburg and on the local level to prioritize their own spending.

I'm sick of seeing some State Representative name on a ballfield or park. That's my money you gave away. I don't see any taxpayer names on the shiny new scoreboard.

Then the county is going to have the gawl to tell me my home is worth $20,000 more then my neighbors when they are identical homes. What planet are you from?

STOP putting the burden on folks who are stickling to make ends meet. STOP taxing people out of their modest homes. START spending money like people have to work hard to earn it. PUBLIC SERVICE DOES NOT MEAN THE PUBLIC IS HERE IS SERVE THE ELECTED!

If anyone really wants to fix the problem. STOP TAXING PROPERTY!