News

Detroit discusses Land Value Tax Plan to lower property tax

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A new Land Value Tax Plan is being discussed by the Detroit City Council. The city is considering implementing it to lower the property tax. Detroit doubles the national average regarding property tax rate. The property tax rate for a median-valued home in Detroit is about 3.21% in 2023. Detroit’s Land Value Tax Plan will lower property taxes by 17%; instead, increase the taxes on the vacant land in Detroit.  

This will supposedly lighten the load and relieve homeowners who have had to pay high property taxes.

2020 election

Watch Focal Point:VP Pence visits Grand Rapids, freshman start college from home, and community keeps bookstore in business

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On this edition of Focal Point, Vice President Mike Pence rallies in Grand Rapids while local candidates adjust to campaigning during a pandemic. Local businesses also adapt to stay open. We visit a cider mill, a local bar, and the East Lansing Farmer’s Market to see how they are opening safely. One East Lansing bookstore is still in business because of support from the community. All those stories and more on Focal Point.

News

Feeling the squeeze-more Manhattan natives moving to NYC’s boroughs

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NEW YORK — As more people move into a city, population, housing and overall living expenses seem to go one way—up. Manhattan is no different. People move in, prices increase, and those who have lived in a neighborhood their entire life may find that they can no longer afford it, said Nicole Gelinas a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a local based think tank, and an expert in state and local fiscal policy, along with public transportation and infrastructure. The cost of living has changed significantly over several different time periods, and for different reasons she said. “Since the financial crisis, so we’ll say since 2008, the sales market has certainly increased markedly in prices,” Gelinas said.

News

Students sign leases for next school year

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EAST LANSING, Mich.- It’s only six weeks into the fall semester at Michigan State University, but students are already looking into housing options for next year. Freshmen who just arrived on campus have settled into things and are making new friends. However, they now have to decide where they want to live for next year, who they want to live with and it has to be done fast. If not, all the houses and apartments will be leased. “It is a little bit of pressure to have to choose so early in the year when you don’t know what you’re going to take next year and who your friends are going to be,” MSU freshman Sarah Presley said. 

Presley wants to live with someone who doesn’t attend MSU, her friend goes to community college back home but will transfer next year.