This is a completely idiotic idea, completely devoid of any sense at all. This is a tax shift onto the people that can least afford it. The current system (correctly) assesses the taxes on the buildings and improvements upon the land. If I own a vacant lot and get taxed at $1000 and a lot across town has a million dollar factory on it and gets taxed the same $1000, how is that fair or reasonable?

The first problem Erie has is the tax burden of the non profits. We have the hospitals, Gannon, Mercyhurst, Prep, Both federal and county courthouses, the zoo, Library and museum, the public dock, along with a church on every corner. All of those provide services to the entire county and region while the city residents bare the tax burden. Add to that the big industrial centers like GE, LORDS, etc. that are outside of the city. Now add the effects of LERTA and the issue is huge. The biggest solution would be a merger between the city and the county. Eliminate the city police department and move it to the county level. Eliminate the City fire department and make it county wide. Eliminate the City streets department and make it a county wide system. Taxes would go down in the city and up in the county. No more LERTA across the board. The only businesses I see taking advantage of LERTA are businesses that would have built here anyway. Does anyone think Walmart wouldn't have built without LERTA? Does anyone think the hotels wouldn't have been built on the Bayfront without LERTA?