In discussions of Troy's fiscal circumstances our problems are often
attributed to the fact that there is so much tax exempt property in
our city. But Harrisburg, PA, a city not unlike Troy and one in which
fully 47% of the property is tax exempt, has undergone a tremendous
economic upturn with commensurate growth in the tax base since
1982. How did they do it?

Back by popular demand, our salon "This Land is Your Land", is on for
Thursday evening June 28 from 6:00 to 8:30PM at the Sanctuary for
Independent Media, 3361 Sixth Ave. in Troy. See directions below. Food
will be available. But feel free to bring a beverage or a snack to add
to the collective wealth, if you are so inclined.

At the heart of Harrisburg's success is a moral viewpoint that nature
is a public resource. That viewpoint is the central principle of
Georgist Economics.

What? You've never heard of Georgist Economics?!?

Tax economist and prominent Georgist Bill Batt, Ph.D. will again be on
hand to illucidate the powerful and practical ideas that emerge from
this simple moral principle, a principle that large private land
owners have been shouting down, with great success, for more than 100
years.

Find out how this principle informs a simple policy shift that made
the difference for Harrisburg and is now at work in 20 other cities in
Pennsylvania. It's also under consideration in cities across the
country including Rochester, NY. If we can institute a similar policy
shift here in Troy and elsewhere in our region, we will likely witness
a deep rooted economic surge while bolstering economic, social, and
environmental justice for our citizenry.