Expert testifies Alabama property tax system is not unusual, people just don't like paying |... Page 1 of 3 Site Search Sign in | Register for free Brought to you by: Search Local Business Listings Search for keywords, people, locations, obituaries, Web ID and more.. Submit Q Home News Weather Top Stories Sports Entertainment Travel Scrushy's suits, sculptures, more up for sale (video)... Interact Jobs Autos Real Estate Didn't go out on St. Paddy's? Then check out these... Rentals Classified Ads Shop Local-made ad highlights value of U.S. manufacturing... Home > Breaking News from The Huntsville Times > Shared - Birmingham Expert testifies Alabama property tax system is not unusual, people just don't like paying Sponsored By: Published: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 8:16 AM By Brian Lawson, The Huntsville Times Follow Like Share 1 One like. Sign Up to see what your friends like. Share Email 0 1 Print HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A tax expert testified Wednesday that Alabama's property tax system is not unusual compared to other states, even though it charges the lowest rates in the country. The testimony of David Brunori, a professor at George Washington File image University in Virginia, came on the third day of a federal trial in which the plaintiffs are seeking to overturn Alabama's property tax system. Brunori said what stands out about Alabama's tax system is not its structure but the decision by Alabama residents that they don't want to pay much in taxes. "The people of Alabama choose not to tax themselves at as high a rate as other states," Brunori More Breaking News from The Huntsville Times Most Comments Most Recent Breaking News from The Huntsville Times stories with the most comments in the last 7 days. said. 123 Federal judge halts ban on payroll deduction to Alabama Education Association Brunori said Alabama's approach of including much of its tax law in the state constitution, its use 100 Raising pension contribution rates would cut Alabama teachers' pay $2,600 over next three years 75 Trial set to begin over Alabama property tax system, plaintiffs want it overturned 61 Bentley predicts dire future for state's General Fund budget over next two years 53 Bible distribution allegations "inaccurate, if not false," Limestone Superintendent Barry Carroll said of referendums to approve tax hikes, its classifications of property and special low rates for farm and timberland are not unusual in other states. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are expected to challenge Brunori's claims with other witnesses. The plaintiffs contend the state's property tax system discriminates against black schoolchildren through limited assessments of valuable farm and timber property and a complex system for raising taxes. The lawsuit against the State of Alabama is being brought on behalf of families of black schoolchildren in Lawrence and Sumter counties and families of white schoolchildren in Lawrence County. Brunori, who testified for the state, said the major changes to the tax structure occurred in 1901 and 1978, both periods of widespread anti-property tax feeling around the country. Brunori said he is a fan of property taxes as a way to fund local government services, but he acknowledged in most surveys Americans say they hate property taxes more than any other tax. Brunori listed some of the reason: they tend to come at year's end and can be surprisingly large; they regularly go up; and the increases don't necessarily bring with them any new benefits. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/03/expert_testifies_alabama_prope.html 3/24/2011 Expert testifies Alabama property tax system is not unusual, people just don't like paying |... Page 2 of 3 Dr. Wayne Flynt, emeritus professor of history at Auburn University, also completed his testimony Wednesday. Flynt said in the early 1970s when Farm Bureau advocates wanted a tax system that benefited large agricultural and timberland owners, they were advised to include residential property taxes in the same property class. They did so, Flynt said, with Farm Bureau executives praising thenHouse Speaker Rankin Fite for the idea. The result, Flynt said, was referendum voters in 1972 faced a possible 30 percent property assessment if the vote failed, but a 15 percent assessment if they voted yes. The measure passed. Property taxes were lowered again in 1978, with homeowners getting a cut to 10 percent assessment along with agriculture and timber property. Most Active Users Testimony resumes this morning at 9. What's this? Users with the most al.com comments in the last 7 days Related topics: Lynch v. Alabama 549 Tidefan8 312 saneamerican Local Babysitter Listings Search Local Babysitters Today. Find Your Ideal Sitter. Fast & Easy 263 ahsaaref- 164 days to KO "Weird Fruit Burns Fat" Reporter Drops 32 Pounds in 28 Days with This Strange Fruit. 209 TinFoilHatGuy 201 ALLTIGER85 Sponsored Links Do NOT Buy Car Insurance! Your Auto Insurer Hates This. 1 trick to get extremely cheap rates! www.news9consumer.com www.Care.com/babysitter www.5NewsTV.com Share this story Story tools Email Print Users We Love More stories in Breaking News from The Huntsville Times Previous story Next story Dr. John Cashin, prominent civil rights leader, remembered for commitment to political activism Huntsville-based Kaya Associates recognized by U.S. Small Business Administration gotluv4bham Gotluv4bham has posted 439 comments to date, and signs off each comment with, "MAKE THE CITY YOUR HOME!!! SUPPORT BIRMINGHAM!!!" More Users We Love 1 Comments Feed Connect with al.com k khelben What's this? March 24, 2011 at 8:34AM Follow Can anyone find out how we compare on the percentage difference between our different classifications and the differences of other states. I knew that most states had differences, but I would really like to know how the disparity between the different rates stack up against others. 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Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Contact interactivity management. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/03/expert_testifies_alabama_prope.html 3/24/2011