Mayor Coss and City Councilors
P.O. Box 909
Santa FE, NM  87504-0909

Dear _______________________:

      I understand that an ordinance is under consideration that will allow the City of Santa Fe to levy a home excise tax when I buy or sell real estate.   I am writing today urging you to reject this proposal and put an end to the home excise tax in my community.   I believe real estate transactions in New Mexico are already heavily taxed.  

      I oppose this tax because it unfairly targets a family’s most valuable asset – their home.  Most Americans have more equity in their home than in all other investments.  Taxing the value of a home at the time of purchase hurts that investment and discourages home ownership.  The Santa Fe City Council needs to protect home owners’ rights and encourage new home ownership.
      
      Increasing taxes on our homes makes home ownership less accessible as these taxes will be passed on to homebuyers through higher priced homes.  This can have a detrimental effect on first time homebuyers, senior citizens, working families and low income workers.
      
      Please reject the home transfer tax ordinance!