New York City's property tax system is a growing source of political consternation, and now state legislators have entered the fray.
"Reforms to the city's complex property tax system would be studied by a commission if a new state bill passes," reports Anna Sanders, who has been tracking the issue throughout the growing controversy.
The state legislation seems like more substantial movement on the city's property tax system compared to a statement from January 2017 by Mayor Bill de Blasio that he would assemble a "task force or whatever," in his own words, to study a property tax system often described as inconsistent and inequitable.
The state legislation would create a commission tasked with preparing recommendations on changes to the "class share system, property assessment process and tax rate formulas," according to Sanders.
Staten Island councilmembers have been pushing for the changes to the property tax system after a study by the city's Independent Budget office revealed that Staten Island homeowners face a higher tax burden relative to actual property value compared to the other boroughs. Sanders has also reported that Staten Island homeowners have threatened to sue the city over the inequalities in the property tax system.
Read the full story: NYC property tax reforms would be studied under state bill
Value Capture Replaces Congestion Pricing as Governor Cuomo's Subway Funding Fix
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) appears to be backing away from a controversial plan to toll midtown Manhattan but shows no reservations about embracing land value capture, which some regard as a "taking" by taxing land proximate to subway stations.
Study to Address Staten Island Transportation Deserts
Residents of Staten Island suffer from very long commutes, and many rely on cars. The New York City Council has proposed a study to determine how additional transit could be implemented in the borough.
Mayor de Blasio Stresses Affordable Housing in State of the City Address
In his State of the City Address on Feb. 3, the New York City mayor made it clear that his overriding priority is affordable housing. He targeted six neighborhoods in all five boroughs where development will be required to include affordable housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority