Property, like income, ought to be taxed on a progressive scale.

In most states in the US, police, fire/ems and public school are all funded from property tax, primarily from residential properties.

 

Yeah, never did understand that. Our public utilities (police, education, etc) are federal bodies, with little to nil local involvement. It's the only way to guarantee consistency of service across all demographics etc. Also never understood property tax period. I live in a considerably more 'socialist' nation than America .. with universal healthcare etc, yet we don't tax primary residences. We DO pay tax on profits on investment properties (capital gains), and we do pay 'council rates' .. a quarterly payment to local councils for maintenance of roads and parks etc in the area, but these are virtually the same across the nation - irregardless of the value of your property. Only non-domestic business properties pay significantly higher council rates.

 

The OP would screw old people on a fixed income in a neighborhood that gets gentrified.