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This was the Q&A session at the end of Joshua Vincent's talk on "Georgist Efforts from State to State." Alan Ridley said something about a book, Dark Money, purporting to expose the Koch brothers, etc. Joshua Vincent answered to the effect that it's not all a right wing conspiracy; the federal government is gridlocked, so action is taking place elsewhere, in the states.
Lindy Davies suggested reviving the idea of a speakers' bureau, to talk about the condition of real estate, etc., and familiarize audiences with our ideas.
Jeff Graubart talked about the Hartford parking lot, and putting the land to its highest and best use. Wouldn't it be best to have people bid on it? Joshua answered that in Baltimore, they still have the concept of ground rent in the psyche, unlike in most of the rest of the U.S.A.
John Kelly thanked Joshua for being in the trenches as a Georgist, and there was a round of applause. What about Philly? Joshua replied that there's a reassessment in Philadelphia, which is now to be reassessed biannually. Building value is down from 80% to 55% of assessed real estate value, a great improvement.
Alanna Hartzok mentioned Bezos Expeditions, asking for suggestions on how to spend money, and how to help. Twitter followers.
Bill Batt said that he and his wife decided to attend workshops, one given by a credit union, the other by an umbrella group of retirement communities. When they mentioned land value taxation, people said, "But that's our nest egg! How will we pay for retirement?" He mentioned relief from other taxes, and the end of the deadweight losses which other taxes cause.
Ted Gwartney talked about getting accurate assessments in British Columbia, through a province-wide assessment authority. He linked this to Texas. Joshua Vincent said that Texas has high land values in some places, low values in the Piney Woods of East Texas.
Joshua Vincent said that California now has the highest poverty rate in the Union, and a high income tax rate. Texas doesn't want income tax. Poor and working people go there, and also rich people, to invest.
Nate Blair warned us that some Texans want something like Proposition Thirteen. Joshua Vincent agreed that that's a serious threat from the hardcore Right. They're Royal Libertarians, not Geolibertarians.
And then we went to lunch, with reports from member organizations presented during and after lunch. I remember that I had a good lunch, with vegetable and white bean soup, and a portobello mushroom sandwich with more vegetables.
Lindy Davies suggested reviving the idea of a speakers' bureau, to talk about the condition of real estate, etc., and familiarize audiences with our ideas.
Jeff Graubart talked about the Hartford parking lot, and putting the land to its highest and best use. Wouldn't it be best to have people bid on it? Joshua answered that in Baltimore, they still have the concept of ground rent in the psyche, unlike in most of the rest of the U.S.A.
John Kelly thanked Joshua for being in the trenches as a Georgist, and there was a round of applause. What about Philly? Joshua replied that there's a reassessment in Philadelphia, which is now to be reassessed biannually. Building value is down from 80% to 55% of assessed real estate value, a great improvement.
Alanna Hartzok mentioned Bezos Expeditions, asking for suggestions on how to spend money, and how to help. Twitter followers.
Bill Batt said that he and his wife decided to attend workshops, one given by a credit union, the other by an umbrella group of retirement communities. When they mentioned land value taxation, people said, "But that's our nest egg! How will we pay for retirement?" He mentioned relief from other taxes, and the end of the deadweight losses which other taxes cause.
Ted Gwartney talked about getting accurate assessments in British Columbia, through a province-wide assessment authority. He linked this to Texas. Joshua Vincent said that Texas has high land values in some places, low values in the Piney Woods of East Texas.
Joshua Vincent said that California now has the highest poverty rate in the Union, and a high income tax rate. Texas doesn't want income tax. Poor and working people go there, and also rich people, to invest.
Nate Blair warned us that some Texans want something like Proposition Thirteen. Joshua Vincent agreed that that's a serious threat from the hardcore Right. They're Royal Libertarians, not Geolibertarians.
And then we went to lunch, with reports from member organizations presented during and after lunch. I remember that I had a good lunch, with vegetable and white bean soup, and a portobello mushroom sandwich with more vegetables.
