Several states seek end to property taxes: Shouldn't have to 'rent from the government'

Fox Business ^ | 3/13/25 | Charles Creitz

[Libloather]

As Tax Day nears, fiscally conservative leaders in several states are pushing to abolish property taxes, with one Pennsylvania lawmaker arguing that homeowners shouldn’t have to "pay rent" to the government.

That lawmaker, state Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, spoke to Fox News Digital on Thursday ahead of his latest effort to end the collection of such taxes in the Keystone State.

Diamond will put forward a resolution — titled HB 900 — which Fox News Digital learned exclusively will be filed imminently. The document is a draft constitutional amendment he hopes will go to the voters on Election Day, and not a typical piece of legislation requiring gubernatorial approval.

Pennsylvania Republicans previously utilized the constitutional amendment process to accelerate the rollback of COVID-19 lockdowns imposed by then-Gov. Tom Wolf and then-health secretary Rachel Levine — by placing the amendment directly before voters on Election Day.

"Property taxes are an issue that is not exactly partisan, because in some areas, it’s more of a big deal than in others," Diamond said, citing varying relationships between taxes and school district funding.

Lebanon, he said, is kind of "middle-of-the-road," but that just to the east in Allentown and Mount Pocono, property taxes are a "big deal."

"For me, the ‘big deal’ is that I want people to own their homes and not have to rent from the government, all across Pennsylvania," he said.

In a recent post on his Substack, Diamond quipped that every time the topic comes up, "folks get all twisted into knots over how we’re going to pay for the things those taxes currently pay for — frankly, they’re missing the point."

"Boiled down to its very essence, fulfilling the promise of personal liberty is impossible if you can’t actually own a piece of real property," he said.

[drwoof]

I’ve explained several times to younger people who proudly announce that they ‘own’ their home that in fact, no, they don’t. “What? What do you mean?” “Well, sop paying your property taxes. You’ll find out who actually owns it.” Some, but not all, wake up at that very moment.

[9YearLurker]

We should end both the property tax AND the mortgage deduction.

[trebb]

If they can take it away because you don’t pay taxes on it, you don’t own it - they do and they’re just leasing it to you - after you paid for it...

[SisterK]

good idea
one time sales tax on property

property tax is a huge burden for me
I would love to see AZ drop it but not gonna happen
we have our local cartel to support

[SisterK]

we are screwed in SE AZ
high sales tax AND high property tax
previous county commissioners spent money like drunken sailors

[SisterK]

we are screwed in SE AZ
high sales tax AND high property tax
previous county commissioners spent money like drunken sailors

[RightOnTheBorder]

This will not work until people are willing to tell school districts they already have too much money and need to do a lot more with less funding….like a private school does.

[SisterK]

nice if they’d just eliminate them when you turn 65.

I totally agree

[mewzilla]

It’s not just school taxes.

Also city/town taxes.

And in NYS, Medicaid costs are cost shared with counties.

Half my county tax is going to cover Albany’s Medicaid insanity.

[mewzilla]

From January...

New York’s Medicaid Spiral Is Worse Than Hochul Admitted

...With those amounts factored in, the full state share of Medicaid under the governor’s proposal would be $44.1 billion, which is an increase of $6.4 billion or 17 percent – the latest in a string of unusually steep hikes...

[mewzilla]

If taxes are assessed, everyone should have skin in the game.

Even the poor.

Even geezers.

Nobody should get a free pass.

[Vermont Lt]

I have always agreed with that thinking.

If there is a flat tax, it should start with the first dollar.

You want the “masses” pissed off, make them pay taxes. And then buy stock in pitchfork and torch manufacturers. A bit of lost “skin” will turn them against their Congress-critter pretty damned quick.

[kosciusko51]

“Taxation is the price we pay to live in a civilized society.“

The rub is that many high taxed areas are not civilized.

[mewzilla]

I’d offer two choices.

Flat tax, my choice.

Or a wealth tax.

[daler]

“Veterans with honorable discharges should not have to pay taxes of any kind after the age of 65.”

NOBODY over age 65 should pay property taxes at the very least.

For most, their earning days are over but the toll for living in the house they paid for continues to climb.

I know that for many seniors where I live they’re taxed right out of their home.

[mewzilla]

We’re civilized.

Our Deep States are not.

[kosciusko51]

“NOBODY over age 65 should pay property taxes at the very least.”

At least on their primary residence.

[Pappy Smear]

I never say I own my own home. I always say, “I have the mortgage paid off.” The property tax collection is the reason for that.

[BobL]

I don’t pay property tax...I live in an apartment.

[mewzilla]

Holy merde...

New York City School Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos seeks yet more cash for NYC failing schools with a budget already exceeding $41 Billion. In a testament to the political power of the United Federation of Teachers union, public schools now accounts for more than a third of New York City’s budget.