Property tax reforms can bring racial justice

Every February, Black History Month provides an opportunity for us to remember the past and confront how history continues to shape our future.

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One place where the legacy of the past is hiding in plain sight is the property tax system — a foundation of local government finance that is not as fair as it needs to be.

As lawmakers across the country debate property tax cuts, most proposals would worsen existing inequities and devastate public services. But there are tax-based solutions available that can advance racial and economic justice, according to the Tribune News Service.

Property taxes are extremely important as the primary funding source for local governments, accounting for roughly three-fourths of local tax revenue. These dollars pay for public schools, roads, libraries and emergency services — the bedrock of daily life. Communities with weak or stagnant property tax bases often face crumbling roads, overcrowded classrooms and fewer public services.