Unfair taxation will cost us more money

Greg Wetzel |

6/29/2008 - 6/29/08

I was appalled by City Councilor Rosemary Romero's comment that, "Truly, the average folks are saying it makes sense to us to tax the over-$650,000 houses because we don't know the people who live in them anyway," as reported in the June 25 article, "City hearing on 'Robin Hood fee' tonight."

I don't know her, but I have no desire to cost her money. I have worked hard all my life. I came from a lower middle-class background. I have made a success of myself and am proud of it. I own a house that I hope is worth more than $650,000. As a matter of fact, it should be worth a lot more than that, but unfortunately, I have been ripped off by a majority of contractors and subcontractors since I moved here and built the house.

By my estimates, I am $400,000 in the hole because of overly expensive unskilled labor costs and poor workmanship. I have a lot less in my retirement account because of the cost of the house I built in Santa Fe. And now, to add insult to injury, the city wishes to tax me further because I own a house worth more than $650,000 because it assumes it can "stick-it" to the "rich."

Well, I don't not consider myself "rich," and I do not consider this tax fair. How convenient that undeveloped land and commercial property is not taxed. I see special interests are going to get what they want as usual. Family transfer taxes and "other" types of conveyances would also be exempt from the tax. I am sure that numerous families here have homes worth more than $650,000. "Other" conveyances might apply to city councilors and city employees, maybe?

I would consider voting for a transfer tax if it were fair to all — that is, if basically all except very low-end housing were taxed, along with commercial property, undeveloped land, and specially conveyed property. That is what is fair, and Romero should be ashamed for not doing what is fair and equable to all people. Well, if this goes through, Romero's legacy will be as a councilor who bankrupted the city because this law will not stand in any court because it unfairly targets a group of the population. And believe me, there will be litigation.

Editor's note: The tax threshold was raised from $650,000 to $750,000 by the City Council on June 26.

Greg Wetzel is a Santa Fe resident and homeowner who lives in District 2.