rising property taxes

Living in New Jersey, I'm used to hearing debates about the rising cost of property taxes.

NJ residents pay the highest property taxes in the country, and many have a hard time keeping up. Many senior citizens have been forced to sell their homes because they can no longer afford to pay their property taxes.

And many other residents are moving out-of-state to find cheaper places to live. But the problem is not only faced by NJ. Many other states face skyrocketing property taxes.

The question is...what is a fair amount to pay for property taxes? The value of a home has no connection with the owner's income. This is why many seniors are being forced out. Their income is limited, but the value of their home has increased so much that the taxes are now beyond what they can afford.

Everyone wants to pay less, but if you cut too much then schools and services will suffer. There's no easy answer. And I doubt that politicians will do anything about it. They can use smoke and mirrors to present a 'plan' to lower taxes, but I will believe it when I see it.