“We believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. Our goal is to encourage open, honest debate that results in tax reform and a funding system that is equitable and sustainable. We seek to abolish ‘The Pledge’, which perpetuates a property tax that is unjust and unfair.”

This is the mission statement of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition.

The GSFTC is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization formed as a public policy project of the NH Council of Churches. We have attracted individuals and organizations interested in joining forces to inform New Hampshire voters about the injustice of the current revenue system. We have a common understanding: the roots of inequality and injustice in New Hampshire can be traced to our troubled tax system.

The need for action is everywhere.
• Soaring assessments, the 'view tax,' and ever-increasing property taxes are forcing people out of their homes, particularly the elderly.

• The property tax is harming human services and environmental protection. During the past four years, the legislature has diverted over $150 million from the state budget to education in an attempt to lower the statewide property tax.

• The property tax contributes to sprawl and the lack of affordable housing, as towns zone against schoolchildren by eliminating multi-family districts and by adopting large lot zoning.

• Nine years after the second Claremont decision, New Hampshire remains a state where the ratio of school taxes between property-poor and property-rich towns is about six to one.

The road to change lies at the local level, and the biggest roadblock to change is ‘The Pledge’. “The Pledge” asks a candidate for office in our state to pledge not to create any new broad-based taxes. This “Pledge” results in an over-reliance on property taxes that are unfair. It ties the tongues of our politicians, who cannot have an honest debate about fair funding. “The Pledge” results in state and local property taxes that are among the highest in the nation, shifting the cost of government from the wealthy to moderate- and lower-income people.

The Coalition’s goals include educating people about the effects of the property tax on the residents of our state, providing information about the real consequences of “The Pledge,” and starting an honest discussion about better solutions to our state’s funding problems.

We will be holding hundreds of public forums throughout the state on this issue. We have a resolution asking candidates to not take “The Pledge”. This resolution will be voted on a several town meetings this spring and many more next year. We goal is that in the 2008 elections, no candidate for state office feels they have to take “The Pledge” in order to get elected.

Once our goal is achieved, then our elected officials in Concord can have an open and honest debate on how to fix our revenue system and create one that is equitable and sustainable.

For more information please contact Paul Henle at 986-7696 or go to the website at http://www.nhfairtax.org.