A Property-Tax Power Grab in Texas and Florida: Mary Ellen Klas

As affordability politics take center stage across America, at least 18 states are attempting to lower or eliminate property taxes to offset the dramatic rise in property values. It’s a worthy debate, but wiping out property taxes, or dramatically limiting them, is dangerous. It not only strips local communities of an economically efficient tax , it also erodes their autonomy, making them more susceptible to any authoritarian-leaning lawmakers at the state level.

There’s little doubt that the conditions for a property tax revolt are ripe. According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, property taxes have soared almost 27% faster than inflation ...