Representative wants a review of property tax law

The chairman of the House tax-writing committee says it may be time tosignificantly change the system for calculating the property taxes Iowansowe. Representative James Van Fossen, a republican from Davenport, saystaxing the value of the land rather than the value of buildings on the landmay help reduce urban sprawl.A so-called “land” tax is used in Pennsylvania and Van Fossen says it’sworth examining. Advocates of the change say it helps re-direct developmentto urban centers which would have lower land values. Van Fossen made hiscomments this morning during taping of the Iowa Public Television program,Iowa Press.