If you give land away, individuals will build. Or so Beatrice hopes. People have come to Beatrice, Neb., since 1862, when the Homestead Act first parceled out land to pioneer farmers. Times were simpler then. Small towns like Beatrice are forced to adopt legislation like the Homestead Act of 2010, where free land is given in order to produce tax revenues to fill the budget deficit pit. Recurring property tax is something Beatrice needs more than more baseball fields and parks, reports the New York Times.
It is what the small towns are doing
Budget deficits that hamstring the largest cities are deadly to smaller towns like Beatrice, Neb. Dayton, Ohio and Grafton, Ill., are presently on that wavelength, writes the Times. Quite possibly supposedly rich resort retirement towns like Boca Raton are feeling the pinch. Giving away land or charging even a small fee would ally tremendous costs, including all the lawn maintenance fees public lands require. More individuals may up the cost of services, but Beatrice, Neb., believes the property tax will deal with those costs.
Is taxing the non-profits next?
Small towns the likes of Manchester, N.H., and Concord, Mass., are one step from introducing the tax man to their non-profits. The spending budget shortfall has to be made up in some way. The costs Concord could make up if even a portion of the 15 percent of their total real estate that is tax free changed sides would be tremendous. Will the time come for tax-exempt organizations to serve their communities via tax contribution? Private schools, churches and numerous other organizations could come into question. More and better sources than the New York Times have inveighed long and hard for this to happen.
Beatrice welcomes homesteaders once more
Where the homestead began is where it shall return. Clearly a figurehead is needed, if the National League of Cities’ recent findings are accurate. According to that organization, “Between now and 2012, America’s cities are likely to experience shortfalls totaling $ 55 billion to $ 85 billion”. Such tremendous gaps in revenue will require drastic action. New people with new and improved homes would also raise property values around town, which would be yet one more benefit of the homesteading movement.
Dollars and sense
There are critics that question whether a town like Beatrice, Neb., should be able to give free land to just anyone. But perhaps the more persuasive stance comes from one town mayor, who asked the Times, “What’s the value of a lot to us if it is empty?” Harsh realities often require direct solutions.
Additional reading
nytimes.com/2010/07/26/us/26revenue.html?_r=2 and amp;hp
