I'm not blaming Georgists in general for what exists.
I question the use of existing mechanisms to implement what Georgists have proposed in Portland.
The Portland government controls valuable property in a suspended animation that resembles speculation. It's my understanding that Georgists do not approve of holding property for speculation. To let government do that sets a poor model. To use this asset better, even just to do so as a sort of pilot
project of transparency and entrepreneurialism would establish a better base for a land tax measure at a later time.
This property was not included in the figuring of land value or in the figuring of the dividend.
Consequently the plan puts no pressure on government to use the property in a way to contribute. The property has potential for use by local people, yet some of the city proposals have been for outside operators, even a big box from a company with headquarters far away.
In the meantime, local people need work, and we have examples of local businesses that draw locals. Visitors to the nearby convention center might visit as well, especially when Roller Derby is in session. The site is well served by public transit, an investment of community money already made.
To work, the Georgist proposal seems to be based on increasing values in private property. I think this a risky assumption.
I agreewith Georgists that it is unfortunate to tax and punish people for upgrading or keeping up their property. If the alternative is to punish them for being there at all, if new neighbors are wealthier, that seems worse.
It also seems to be what we have presently.
Given the expense of the government we currently have, the land taxes required to maintain it are confiscatory for ordinary people, especially if government property is held out of the equation.
What's more, some property is going into a no-man's land where the titles are compromised. It's not clear how to value land when a clear title cannot be issued.
Maybe Portlanders in general are wealthy
enough to want homogenous neighborhoods of sufficient wealth to deal with the land taxes required to keep government at its current rate of expenditure. The only way to know is to put out a proposal and to see what happens. In a way, the proposed new school taxes may be a kind of test.
What worries me about the test is the possible tyranny of a majority. Majorities can and have voted to take rights and property from minorities. Harming minorities can have poor consequences for everyone. If it were to prompt a greater exodus of presently tax-paying people, it could backfire and produce less taxes rather than more.
Maybe I am the only individual who would notice these issues. If not, it might be helpful to see them posted here, early in a process.