Letter, Boston Globe: Taxation Without Representation

Subject: Taxation: No Representation


Editor:

An insidious state law is slowly gaining favor among municipalities eager to take money from non-resident property owners. These owners have no voting rights where their properties are located.

Twelve cities and towns from Boston to Barnstable, under Title IX (Taxation), Chap 59, Sec. 5c, are abating taxes for primary-home residents so they can shift taxes to owners who can't vote to protect themselves and who get no representation from local elected officials.

Seasonal home owners clearly receive nominal services in exchange for higher than average taxes. They may even be paying a personal property taxes not imposed on voting owners. These non-voter owners don't have children in local schools; place nominal demands on police, health, roads and social services. In the tradition that local governments tax for services rendered, the practice of taxing when no service is provided is blatantly unfair -- it's TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION and Sec. 5c should be repealed.