property tax

The article covers a competitive primary election for a Hawaiʻi County Council District 2 seat, with a focus on Downtown Hilo. The Q&A includes topics such as transit, burning trees, and property tax.

Prince George’s County Council passed bills to increase property taxes and penalties for vacant, blighted buildings, aiming to incentivize owners to renovate, sell, or rent properties. A second bill rewards residents for reporting code violations by sharing fines collected. Council Chair Krystal Oriadha cited examples like a boarded-up former bar in Temple Hills and a fire-damaged house near her home to highlight the issue.

Ohio governor candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton both propose property tax relief but lack detailed funding plans. Ramaswamy advocates rolling back property taxes to 2020 levels and capping growth, while Acton emphasizes increasing state funding for schools to reduce reliance on property taxes. Neither candidate has explicitly outlined which programs would be cut to offset their proposals.

Clarksville's city council approved a 2027 budget increasing property taxes to $1.01 per $100 of assessed value, a 9-cent rise driven by growth and the city's expanding regional role. The budget includes cuts to the street department, potentially reducing paving and increasing temporary road repairs, while school-area sidewalk projects remain on track.

Civic bodies in Kerala have defaulted on transferring statutory library cess funds, collected with property tax, to the Kerala State Library Council. The council plans to initiate legal proceedings against the local self-government institutions for this failure.

The assessed value of Best Buy's headquarters in Richfield dropped from $63 million to $32 million, causing a 5% decline in the city's commercial tax base. City officials warn this shift could increase the tax burden on other property owners, while the Hennepin County Assessor attributed the drop to market conditions like higher office vacancy rates and reduced demand for large campuses.

St. Helena Parish residents will vote on renewing a property tax to fund hospital facilities. The decision grants voters the authority to extend the tax for local healthcare support.

Assumption Parish voters will vote on June 27 to renew a property tax of up to 15 mills for 10 years to fund road lighting. The tax is projected to generate $160,000 annually.

East Baton Rouge Parish voters will decide on renewing a property tax to fund senior citizen programs and services. The tax is projected to generate $12.5 million annually if approved.

Baker voters will vote on June 27 to approve a 10-mill property tax to fund firefighter salaries and benefits for the next decade. The tax is intended to cover firefighter compensation for 10 years.

The Maryland primary election features competitive races for Montgomery County executive and Prince George’s County state’s attorney. Three Democratic candidates for Prince George’s state’s attorney emphasize public safety, juvenile crime, and domestic violence, while three Montgomery County Council members vie for county executive, focusing on budget shortfalls and property tax proposals.

Williamson County in Tennessee avoided a property tax increase during a budget meeting. County Commissioner Mary Smith highlighted the need to prioritize public safety, roads, and education despite challenges with high revenues and debt per capita.

The Detroit school board approved a $1.1 billion budget for the 2026-27 school year, prioritizing security, chronic absenteeism reduction, and staff pay raises. The budget includes $13.9 million for attendance initiatives and allocates funds for classroom supplies, counselors, and security measures, but faces future financial uncertainty as settlement funds deplete and reliance on property taxes increases.

The Detroit school board approved a $1.1 billion budget for the 2026-27 school year, prioritizing security, chronic absenteeism reduction, and staff raises. The budget includes $13.9 million for attendance efforts and allocates funds for classroom supplies, counselors, and assistant principals, though the district faces future financial uncertainty as settlement funds deplete.

Tatiana Squire, a first-time homeowner in Riverdale, received a $17,000 property tax bill after a reassessment of her renovated $207,000 home, prompting concerns about relocating. The unexpected tax increase has left her considering moving due to financial strain.

Texas now requires cities to conduct an audit before raising property taxes. Over 130 cities, mostly with fewer than 10,000 residents, were blocked from increasing their property tax revenue due to legal violations.

Tennessee voters will face three constitutional amendment questions in November 2026, including a property tax ban and changes to bail and victims' rights. A campaign led by Republican leaders supports the property tax ban, while two other amendments would remove bail rights for certain felony charges and enhance judicial involvement for crime victims.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis introduced an online calculator to estimate home property tax savings under a new proposal. The plan would exempt up to $250,000 of a home's value from taxes, requiring legislative approval to appear on the November ballot. Critics argue the proposal is a diluted version of DeSantis' promise to eliminate homestead property taxes.

The Florida Legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget for fiscal years 2026-27, with Republicans highlighting reduced spending and Democrats criticizing insufficient support for schools, healthcare, and the environment. The budget includes a $300 million tax cut package, $4 million for the Groveland Four, and $250 million for an emergency fund linked to immigration enforcement. A property tax debate is set for a special session, with Governor Ron DeSantis proposing increased homestead exemptions facing opposition from local governments, education groups, and businesses.

Missouri lawmakers failed to pass property tax reforms after disagreements between the House and Senate. Rising residential property assessments have increased taxpayer burdens, with total residential assessments rising 75% since 2015. State Rep. Tim Taylor criticized the system for prioritizing local tax district revenue over taxpayer relief.