Fix property assessments before adding wealth tax
Lehigh County leaders are considering a wealth tax that would be levied on certain assets of their residents. Before they do that, they should examine their antiquated property tax assessment system. Significant imbalances have occurred since the last countywide assessment in 2013.
The value of every property in the Lehigh Valley has gone up at a steady pace over the last few years but the values of high-end properties have appreciated at a significantly higher level. Consider the following examples.
In November 2020, a property in Upper Milford Township sold for almost $3.4 million. Its assessment was only $1.28 million and that assessment has not changed after 6 years of additional appreciation
More recently, on May 28, a house in South Whitehall Township sold for $1.5 million. Its assessed value is only $482,000.
Think of the property tax savings these fortunate homeowners will continue to have for years to come.
It is depressing that our elected officials allow these large inequities to occur. In the age of artificial intelligence, where your car can drive itself, we can only hope that our politicians are actively working on a solution to this unfair, archaic and opaque taxing scheme.
— Joseph Stefens, Forks Township
Lehigh County Republicans moving in the right direction
With so much media attention focused on national politics, it is easy to overlook the elections and decisions that directly affect our communities. Local government matters, as does the direction of the Lehigh County Republican Party.
For the first time in its history, the Lehigh County Republican Committee is being led by two strong Latino leaders: Chair George Rivera and Vice Chair Jackie Rivera. Their leadership reflects the growing diversity of our county and our party’s commitment to welcoming hardworking, family-oriented people from every background.
Our party is moving in the right direction. We stand for strong families, safe communities, economic opportunity, responsible government and respect for every resident of Lehigh County. We do not discriminate against anyone. We welcome all who share these principles and want to build a stronger future for our communities.
I am proud to call George and Jackie my friends and proud to serve as the Republican committeeman representing District 4 of North Whitehall Township.
National politics may receive most of the headlines, but lasting change begins locally.
— Jeff Barber, North Whitehall Township
We could, should be a country that defends
Our lack of civil discourse didn’t begin with calling the Department of Defense the Department of War, but it does reflect a fundamental change in our country’s identity. We learn from history that aggressors are rarely perceived as the good guys. But here we are hoping to increase the military budget and recruit more warriors after initiating a dangerous and destructive ongoing war. Our stock of ballistic missiles is lower and our gains are limited or nonexistent.
I believe there is much to be gained in being a country that defends rather than attacks. We have so much we need to defend: our civil rights, our health and welfare, our air and water, science and education, our national parks and wilderness areas. A country that defends does not threaten its neighbors or put power and greed before the sanctity of life on earth. A country that defends cares about the future of all children and does not discriminate against immigrants or people with perceived differences. A country that defends actually believes that the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness belongs to us all, and loving our neighbors as ourselves is a sacred commandment. We could be that country.
— Debra J. Orben, Springfield Township
I hold Congress in contempt
The Republican Congress is asking for Dr. Fauci to be held in contempt of Congress. I wonder if it can be held in contempt of democracy.
— Jeff Horning, Bethlehem
What else is Trump administration lying about?
New revelations about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool show that President Donald Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro lied to us about how the damage to the pool occurred. Worse, it showed that Trump and Burgum were willing to put innocent Americans in jail to conceal their lies.
If the heads of our government can lie about such relatively trivial matters as a reflecting pool and deprive Americans of their freedom based on those lies, can you imagine what lies are being told about the Iran war, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s killing of citizens and noncitizens, and other deeply serious matters.
— Alan Canner, Allentown
If you’re not handicapped, don’t use reserved parking
I recently stopped at a fast food restaurant, and wanted to park in a handicap spot. I have a handicap placard and am mobility infirm. The restaurant had two spaces available but were both taken, one by a food delivery driver and the other by someone picking up an order. Neither car had a placard or a handicap plate. I wish people would be more considerate. Next time I will take photos of license plates.
— Alfred Wiemann, East Allen Township
Trump administration has 90 days to reset focus
Donald Trump focuses on irrelevant matters like the White House ballroom, Washington arch, anti-weaponization fund, Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, reflecting pool and IRS immunity. He has surrounded himself with talentless weak advisers who do nothing other than kiss his butt! He has spent 10 years destroying the Republican Party and allowing the lunacy of the Democratic Socialists of America to advance!
It is time to rid the world of the Iranian regime and its proxies, economically starve Vladimir Putin’s war machine, increase our housing supply and get our inflation rate on a path to 2%. He has less than 90 days to right the ship or face what I predict to be a successful impeachment in 2027.
— Andrew Kahn, Salisbury Township
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.
Town Square editorial cartoon for The Morning Call for the week of Aug. 10. (TNS)