Many thanks to Carson Swick for reminding us of Baltimore City’s inequitable and destructive property tax structure (“Wealthy Baltimore homeowners underpay on property taxes while poor overpay, studies find,” Nov. 1). Mayor Brandon Scott understood the status quo when running for office in 2020. As then-candidate Scott explained, “It puts us at a competitive disadvantage when compared to surrounding counties. High property taxes not only dissuade potential home buyers but cost those who do choose to buy in the city potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost equity over a homeowner’s lifetime. This is deeply inequitable to the city’s homeowners.”
Sadly, City Hall has largely avoided this critical issue over the last five years. Until our leaders fix Baltimore’s broken property tax system, Swick and others should remind them often that reform is desperately needed.
— Louis Miserendino, Baltimore
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