Flatliners Inhabit Binghamton City Hall
By Jim Willis on May 6, 2008 in City Council, Government & Politics, Mayor Matt Ryan, Taxes & Spending | Printable Version
It’s now official: There is no brainwave activity coming from Binghamton City Hall. My evidence comes form today’s Press & Sun-Bulletin:
Some landlords are facing an 80 percent increase in property taxes after city council on Monday unanimously backed legislation that would force them to pay the same rate as commercial property owners.
The bill, to be filed later this week in the state Assembly by Donna A. Lupardo, D-Endwell, would make only owner- occupied housing eligible for the city’s lower homestead property tax rate.
Currently, residential properties pay the city’s homestead tax rate — $16.90 per $1,000 assessed value. Commercial properties are charged $30.24 per $1,000 assessed value.
Rental properties with fewer than four units, including those owned by limited liability corporations, local landlords and out-of-towners, are now charged under the lower homestead rate. The change would force all landlords not living in their properties to pay the higher property tax rate.
Is Mayor Matt Ryan and the Citizen Action Council (formerly known as the Binghamton City Council) so utterly stupid they don’t know what will happen to housing in Binghamton if they do this??? Astonishing just how dumb the desire to steal other people’s money–and the desire to punish those who achieve–will make you. This is somehow fair or just? By whose measure? This group is out of control.
Here’s the thoughts of our brilliant mayor:
Mayor Matthew T. Ryan said before the meeting that he was in support of the change.
“These are commercial enterprises, and they should be taxed as commercial enterprises,” the mayor said.
You think there’s been a reduction in population in Binghamton recently? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. This group is ruining Binghamton faster than even I thought possible.
Technorati Tags: Binghamton, Matt Ryan, Binghamton City Council, landlord, property taxes
Brent Beckley | May 6, 2008 | Reply
I was just as surprised as you were this morning, Jim. This couldn’t be any more blatant! God I hope this behavior doesn’t spill past the “Home of the Square Deal” arch on Main Street into my part of town…but, I am starting to see seepage…as in sewer seepage.
Jim Willis | May 7, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the comment Brent. Yes, let’s hope the lunacy is contained within the boundaries of Binghamton. Learn from our mistakes!