Baltimore City Council Approves Property Tax Hike

Allegheny County is considering a public database to monitor tax-exempt properties, as it faces a proposed 2.2 mill property tax increase to support vital services. County Executive Sara Innamorato argues that failure to pass the increase could jeopardize funding for essential services, despite opposition from some council members. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has revised his budget proposal to include a $150 million property tax hike, following a previous rejection of a larger increase by the City Council. Johnson's administration aims to avoid layoffs in key city services while navigating aldermanic resistance to tax hikes. In Baltimore, the City Council unanimously approved a bill that triples property tax rates on vacant homes, part of a broader strategy to address the city’s 13,000 vacant properties. This legislation is expected to enhance the city's ability to gain control over more vacant homes and drive revitalization efforts in troubled neighborhoods.