|
From: "Tom
Bazan" <tbazan@houston.rr.com>
To: <patrick@ksevradio.com>, <edd@ksevradio.com>
Cc: <viewpoints@chron.com>,
"Spellman, Dennis" <DSpellman@tribune.com>,
<paul_bettencourt@co.harris.tx.us>,
"Palmer, John - CNL" <John.Palmer@cityofhouston.net>,
<opinion@semananews.com>, <omc@chronicallybiased.com>,
<newsdesk@eldiausa.com>, <michael.moore@cityofhouston.net>,
<mayor@cityofhouston.net>, <judge_eckels@co.harris.tx.us>,
<jrobinson@hcad.org>, <josh.harkinson@houstonpress.com>,
<jcolley@bizjournals.com>, <houstonreview@hotmail.com>,
<districti@cityofhouston.net>, <districth@cityofhouston.net>,
<districtg@cityofhouston.net>, <districtf@cityofhouston.net>,
<districte@cityofhouston.net>, <districtd@cityofhouston.net>,
<districtc@cityofhouston.net>, <districtb@cityofhouston.net>,
<districta@cityofhouston.net>,
"Dimond, Lisa - CNL" <Lisa.Dimond@cityofhouston.net>,
<david.langworthy@chron.com>, <chrisbaker@clearchannel.com>,
<bballeza@kprc.com>, <atlarge5@cityofhouston.net>,
<atlarge4@cityofhouston.net>, <atlarge3@cityofhouston.net>,
<atlarge2@cityofhouston.net>, <atlarge1@cityofhouston.net>,
<aframnews@pdq.net>, <11listens@khou.com>
Subject: The
Property Tax System Is Beyond Broken, And Violates The Texas
Constitution
Date: Tue,
8 Jun 2004 22:46:58 -0500
C.L.O.U.T.
has raised the level of awareness that homeowners are generally
being taxed out of their Homesteads, and have asked for a measly
3% CAP on the growth of residential property tax increases.
As I was researching the cost differentials associated with office
space in the CBD, driven by the cost shifting associated with
the METRO Tram project, relative to the costs of class A space
in other sectors of Houston, I again am reminded of the "inconsistent"
distribution of the tax burden between commercial properties
and the typical residential home owners, excluding the elites.
Allow me to present some typical examples.
-------------------------------
WEDGE International Tower
1415 Louisiana Street
While homeowners see a consistent 10% increase in assessed value
each year, the 2004 Improved value of this office building has
plummeted -30% in the past three years from the 2001 HCAD assessed
value.
------------------------------
The Bank of America Center
700 Louisiana Street
This office building's 2004 Improved value has declined just
under 17% in the last three years from the 2001 HCAD assessed
value.
______________________
1301 McKinney
This office building's 2004 Improved value has declined just
under 35% in the last three years from the 2001 HCAD assessed
value.
_____________
An outrageous example of the plutocracy and elite dodging their
"Fair Share" of property tax.
Mayor Bill White's homestead was built in 1998. After construction,
both the land and improvements may have been severely under-assessed
by HCAD. In 2001 the estimated Market value was the same as the
HCAD assessed value (no comment as to how accurate either number
was). In 2002 the market value estimate jumped to over $1.7 million
yet the assessed value was limited to the cap. In 2003 the market
value estimate skyrocketed up to over $2.8 million, yet the appraisal
cap was so convoluted it caused the HCAD computer to assign a
$100.00 assessed value to this 4,122 square foot luxury home.
Strangely, the 2004 estimated market value is unchanged, and
the cap has kept the HCAD assessed value to remain well below
1/2 of the unchanged estimated Market Value.
_____________
My only question is, "Who is watching out for whom?"
Tom Bazan
P.O. Box 2786
Houston, TX 77252
832.673.0018
BAZAN, a long-time
real estate broker, appraiser and environmental consultant, is
the Independent Candidate for the 18th Congressional District
of Texas, running to replace Sheila Jackson-Lee
www.BazanForCongress.com
|