Beth Houlis

HB1707, would assess an additional tax on unoccupied properties. The bill would double owners’ taxes, requiring payment of equal amounts of taxes to the municipality and the state. Hosting through AirBnB is how I support my parents in retirement. This bill would make it impossible for me to continue to do so, and would force me to sell the house, leaving my parents with no place to go during the many months of the year that they occupy the residence. I believe the unintended consequences of this bill would be severe, and that the state should leverage other options to achieve its goals (which are unclear).