Neighbor helping neighbor is a cherished tradition — but it is voluntary. It is a person choosing to give time, money or assistance to someone in need. A tax is not charity. It compels one neighbor to surrender money officials will spend later.
The “Vacant Home Tax” is misleading. It is a Use-Your-Home-Our-Way Tax. It was created by a random group of people, including some who do not live in Astoria, deciding how Astoria homeowners must use their homes. It can classify a furnished, maintained and regularly used home as “vacant” because its owner fails a nonsensical 183-day standard.
Every residential property owner must file an annual declaration. Forms, verification, enforcement and appeals must be created after passage.
The measure does not guarantee revenue will be used “explicitly for housing assistance programs.” The fund may pay administration and enforcement. There is no minimum percentage housing, defined program, projected cost or measurable result.
This is about eroding property rights — one bite at a time — and pitting neighbor against neighbor. Calling taxation “social capital” does not make coercion voluntary.
Satirical translation: Hi, I’m Tom Jenkins. I’m with the Working Families Party. I don’t live within Astoria city limits and cannot vote in Astoria elections — but I want to dictate how actual Astoria homeowners use their private property. This tax is one more bite out of your property rights. And it will not be the last.
Forced. Not generosity. Not voluntary. Not neighbor helping neighbor. A tax without a plan. Vote no on Measure 4-247.
LISA MORLEY
Astoria