letter to the editor - Paul: ‘Owner-occupied households are not represented by lobbyists or special interests’
Dear Representative:
Apparently, you don’t know us, but you should. Our name is Owner-Occupied Taxpayer.
You campaigned last fall about property tax relief. We listened to you … we supported you … we even voted you into office. Now we found out that what we heard wasn’t “Public Service” but was just “LIP Service.” Shouldn’t have been surprised.
You are obviously more influenced by state agencies, lobbyists, special interests, and back room politics than us. Owner-occupied taxpayers have been detrimentally impacted by extreme increases in assessed property valuations/taxes the last several years. We needed meaningful valuation relief.
There were 18 property tax relief bills introduced this past session. Only one halfway measure, SB 216, the Governor’s bill, passed.
Why? Because the AG lobbies were afraid the others might shift the property tax burden. Where? … to them? Owner-occupied taxpayers contribute approximately 45 percent of total property tax revenue dollars collected statewide. This is followed by Commercial taxpayers and then by Ag property in a distant third.
The Rhoden five-year plan (?) keeps owner-occupied taxpayers at record high valuation/taxes. It then caps valuations at 3 percent on county-wide average increases in owner-occupied property (rather than individual).
Holding local govts to a 3 percent budget increase was already mandated. Under SB 216, school’s capital outlay funding is now included in the restrictions. The best part of 216 is the enhanced eligibility limits for elderly tax freeze programs.
The Governor seems to think this will help the problem counties. From 2019-23, 48 counties had average valuation increases exceeding 30 percent. 42 exceeded 40 percent, 28 exceeded 50 percent, 20 exceeded 60 percent, and 11 exceeded 70 percent.
What’s the official cutoff point for “Problem?”
There will be a special summer study group (what again?) to examine the property tax problem. How many severely impacted owner-occupied taxpayers will be included in the group? Wanna guess?
There is a group, Tax Relief for Property Owners. Were a grassroots group of over 750 voluntary owner-occupied taxpayers statewide.
Our Facebook page is: Tax Relief for Property Owners. If you are concerned about valuation increases … JOIN US.
Owner-occupied households are not represented by lobbyists … or special interests. We thought WE were represented by you. Now we know WHO you really represent!!
Robert Paul
Co-coordinator Tax Relief for Property Owners
Hot Springs
1327 Scofield St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
605-891-9335
