Lawmakers say the current drop in housing values has created a situation where people who have been in their homes for a long time see their property taxes increase even in markets like the current one - where property values are declining.

Two packages of bills proposed by state House Republicans might be the right way to go.
The bills would:

Eliminate the transfer tax. They estimate that would cost the state $250 million, a cost that could be offset if lawmakers pass a $600 million package of cuts and reforms to state government.

Create a "supercap" that prevents taxes from increasing when property values decline.

Allow a tax deduction on losses for individuals when the sale of a foreclosed home is below what was owed on the home.

Reduce the pop-up tax when a home is sold. Currently, a home is reassessed for tax purposes at market value when it changes hands, allowing the capped tax to pop up. The legislation proposes to limit the amount of the pop-up.

Extend homestead property tax exemptions for people struggling to sell their homes.

Make it a state felony for mortgage fraud, inflated appraisals or filing fraudulent deeds.

Notice, if you will, that their proposed home-saving tax cuts are accompanied by a specific package of cuts and reforms to state government.  They're not talking about irresponsible tax cuts that would harm education or care for the elderly.  They're not talking about closing schools and letting people die (though the Governor often does).  They're not even talking about chewing up the recently and dubiously discovered $350 million post tax-hike budget surplus.

People are hurting and losing their homes.  Something needs to be done and the House GOP is attempting to act.  Unfortunately they haven't had much cooperation from House Speaker Andy Dillon and his tax-hike caucus.  The Macomb Daily reports:

"We've had a year to address this but the only thing we've done all year was the budget, and we didn't do a very good job of that," said Rep. Dan Acciavatti, a Chesterfield Township Republican. "We spent all this year raising taxes and raising fees. We've got to spend next year providing some relief. And it should start with property tax relief."

Some of the bills have sat idle in the House since they were introduced in March. On Monday, GOP lawmakers announced additional legislation and called for quick action on the entire package after the first of the year.

Those calls have gone unanswered.  

The House Democrats have different priorities entering the new legislative year.  While the Republicans fight tooth and nail with the Dem Speaker and his cronies to protect peoples' homes Andy Dillon has his sights set elsewhere... building a bigger bureaucracy!

The memo below was delivered to House Republican offices between Christmas and New Years and comes directly from Dillon's business office.  You'll notice a section outlined in red that announces each House Republican office will be granted $97,500 for staff and other expenses in 2008.  That's a lot of cash in and of itself but the number becomes shocking when you take a look at the 2007 budget.  Last year member offices only received $95,500.

Office allotments change every year.  Sometimes they go up, sometimes they go down.  Often times the movement is purely partisan.  When Republicans control things the Democrats get less.  When the Dems take control they reign in the purse strings on the GOP while spending lavishly themselves.  

This year everyone just plain got a raise.  Which is ironic considering this year we also got a government shutdown, $2.4 billion in new taxes and less than a handful of meaningful government cuts or reforms.

Relief for families facing foreclosures or thousands in new spending in fancy expense accounts for entrenched bureaucrats.  Oh, yeah.  I'd say there's a difference between the GOP on their worst day and the Dems on their best.  And I imagine there are a few thousand folks facing foreclosure who'd agree.