Land Lines January 2009
An Infrastructure and Economic Recovery Plan for the United States
Despite the challenges of overhauling existing policies and implementing a bold agenda for infrastructure investment, the decisive election of a new President on a platform of change presents a real opportunity and sense of momentum for action in Washington.
What Policy Makers Should Know About Property Taxes
Although property taxes continue to be a fundamental and important revenue source for local government, they also remain exceptionally controversial. Still, the topic of property taxation seems to be one for which improved education and understanding is especially necessary.
Inclusionary Housing, Incentives, and Land Value Recapture
We suggest that a better approach is to link IH to the ongoing process of rezoning—either by the developer or by local government initiative—thus treating it explicitly as a vehicle for recapturing for public benefit some part of the gain in land value resulting from public action.
This issue looks at the key components of a national infrastructure and economic development plan for the U.S.; an explanation of the benefits and controversies surrounding property taxes; and various aspects of inclusionary housing programs, including incentives and land value capture.