Austin Property Tax Increase

            An editorial named Pull back on rapid tax increases is aimed to alarm taxpayers in Austin with the hopes of motivating them to push for answers about why their property taxes are increasing. The editorial states that “solutions for managing costs start with telling the public the truth about their taxes.” This powerful statement illustrates the frustration that the author has with city officials. The author then supplements his/her aggravated statement by throwing large numbers into the equation, a great way to attract his/her audience’s attention. Numbers always make me skeptical because there are so many ways that they can be misconstrued. Fortunately, the author provided the sources for his/her numerical information with the following, highly appreciated, statements: “according to a study conducted by Eben Fodor, a national land-use expert” and “The data regarding tax increases did not come from City Hall, county government or the school district, but rather from an American-Statesman analysis reported by Marty Toohey.”

            Like I previously mentioned the article is intended to alarm Austinites about their unexplained property tax increases. The author wastes no time in captivating his/her audience’s attention by providing numerical data. The author then offers a better understanding to these numbers by giving his/her audience a collective reason as to why their property taxes have been raised. The following sentences are only a few of the statements that the author provided to explain the numbers he/she has thrown into the mix: “It’s also clear that all five taxing jurisdictions share responsibility for the rising tax burden. In the past decade, Austin Community College raised its property taxes 184 percent; Travis county increased by 46 percent; the City of Austin charged 44 percent more…” These statements are very important to the credibility of the editorial because it shows that the author isn’t simply making claims about property tax inflation but has done the proper research and can intellectually provide insight as to why property taxes are being increased.

            As a young adult who has never owned any taxable property, it is somewhat difficult for me to understand the true monetary significance of this editorial. Then again, I never realized how expensive gas was until I started driving and paying for the gas myself. However, I agree with the author’s overall opinion that “our elected officials take a hard look at the facts, not that they’re on the table, and begin telling the public the unvarnished truth about growth, taxes and costs.” The author offers a multitude of opinions and solutions to property tax increases. I do not agree with several of his/her solutions especially that school districts should use their reserved money to help reduce property taxes. I do admit that my opposition on this potential solution is strongly influenced by my support for education since I am currently a student. Ultimately, I agree that Austinites are entitled to know why their property taxes are being increased and where exactly their money is going.