The Ballroom
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Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to [email protected]. Thanks for your patience.
Graffiti on the Wall
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 25, 2014
Dear Editor,
I completely agree with the letter of two weeks ago regarding the jejune nature of Maakies ["Not a Fan of Maakies," Feedback, Nov. 14]. It has all the appeal and insight of an eighth grade boys bathroom wall. Surely there are other local artists with both talent and humor that would enhance your publication rather than degrade it.
I completely agree with the letter of two weeks ago regarding the jejune nature of Maakies ["Not a Fan of Maakies," Feedback, Nov. 14]. It has all the appeal and insight of an eighth grade boys bathroom wall. Surely there are other local artists with both talent and humor that would enhance your publication rather than degrade it.
Jeff Schreiber
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Blunt Instrument Not Enough
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 25, 2014
Dear Editor,
Austin needs to reduce the burden of property taxes on its longtime homeowners [“Point Austin: Color Me Exempt,” News, Nov. 21]. Regrettably, we've got one blunt instrument. Ideally, we'd use a flat homestead exemption or one with a cap to direct most of the tax savings to low-income homeowners. Unfortunately, state law doesn't give us that option. Adler's proposed 20% exemption (without cap) still benefits the low-income homeowners, but has the unfortunate side effect of also sending savings to wealthier families who don't need a tax break. The proposal itself is progressive because low-income families spend a greater share of income on necessities, and thus the burden of the property tax – measured as a percentage of discretionary income – falls more heavily on them.
King's article assumes that unless the revenue lost from the exemption is made up from cutting city services, the city will increase tax rates and landlords will pass the increase on to renters. Of course, a better-run city might find savings without cutting services. What's more, it's not clear how much of a tax increase landlords could pass on to price-sensitive renters in this market.
Austin needs more targeted tools (like reforming the drainage and other utility fees that now fall unfairly on apartment tenants) to help make Austin apartments more affordable. We also need legal latitude to target homestead exemptions to those who need them most. In the meantime, the blunt instrument is what we've got.
Austin needs to reduce the burden of property taxes on its longtime homeowners [“Point Austin: Color Me Exempt,” News, Nov. 21]. Regrettably, we've got one blunt instrument. Ideally, we'd use a flat homestead exemption or one with a cap to direct most of the tax savings to low-income homeowners. Unfortunately, state law doesn't give us that option. Adler's proposed 20% exemption (without cap) still benefits the low-income homeowners, but has the unfortunate side effect of also sending savings to wealthier families who don't need a tax break. The proposal itself is progressive because low-income families spend a greater share of income on necessities, and thus the burden of the property tax – measured as a percentage of discretionary income – falls more heavily on them.
King's article assumes that unless the revenue lost from the exemption is made up from cutting city services, the city will increase tax rates and landlords will pass the increase on to renters. Of course, a better-run city might find savings without cutting services. What's more, it's not clear how much of a tax increase landlords could pass on to price-sensitive renters in this market.
Austin needs more targeted tools (like reforming the drainage and other utility fees that now fall unfairly on apartment tenants) to help make Austin apartments more affordable. We also need legal latitude to target homestead exemptions to those who need them most. In the meantime, the blunt instrument is what we've got.
Steven Tomlinson
