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Delegate Stewart proposes split‑rate (land value) tax near rail stations to spur development
Summary
Delegate Von Stewart introduced a bill allowing counties to adopt split‑rate property taxation (heavier tax on land than buildings) within one mile of rail stations; supporters said it can spur transit‑oriented development and return value to the public, while municipalities and local governments raised revenue‑sharing and local control questions.
Delegate Von Stewart told the committee that House Bill 330 would authorize counties to adopt a split‑rate property tax — taxing land at a different (typically higher) rate than improvements — but limited to parcels within one mile of rail transit stations. Stewart framed the idea with examples from Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Allentown) where proponents attributed neighborhood turnaround to split‑rate systems.
"What Harrisburg did is they split their property tax system into 2 parts. A tax on land and a tax on buildings," Stewart said, arguing the structure incentivizes building on vacant…
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