Elizabeth Hines

This bill creates a new penalty tax based solely on how a property is used. Short-term rental owners already pay the Meals and Rooms tax, yet this bill would add an additional unoccupied housing tax, forcing owners to pay more taxes for lawful use of their own property. This approach undermines property rights, creates confusion and financial hardship for small property owners, and does nothing to meaningfully address housing affordability. As part time occupants of our home, we already subsidize the town with services such as schools that we don't use. It is unfair to add additional taxes to our home as we invest in the area by hiring local services and stores.